Oral mucositis, a painful side effect of cancer treatment

What is oral mucositis?                                                      

Oral mucositis is when the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract lining becomes inflamed and painful sores or ulcers are developed. It is a common side effect of specific cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy and can make it difficult to eat, drink, and talk. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and bleeding. Although some degree of pain management is possible, regularly, patients decide to interrupt or even stop their cancer treatment due to the pain and the resulting reduction in quality of life. Topical and systemic therapies can be used, and oral hygiene is essential. However, further research is necessary to know the risk factors and create prevention strategies and better treatment options.

The exact mechanisms underlying the development of oral mucositis have yet to be fully understood. Still, it is believed to be caused by damage to the mucosal cells lining the mouth and throat, leading to inflammation and ulceration. Specific chemotherapy and radiation therapy agents, such as everolimus, are more likely to cause oral mucositis than others, and patients with pre-existing oral health issues may be more susceptible to developing the condition.

What is everolimus?                                                                       

Everolimus is a medication in the class of drugs known as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the mTOR protein, which plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and survival. It is used to treat various types of cancer, including advanced kidney cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

How was NGS used to study the effect of everolimus in developing oral mucositis?

The answer is RNA-Seq. This study is an excellent example of the power of bulk RNA-Seq.

In this study, we used a 3D tissue culture model to study the effect of everolimus on the development of mucositis.

RNA samples were taken at different time points and with varying treatment concentrations with everolimus. Using pathway analysis, the most affected pathways were identified: cornification, cytokine expression, glycolysis, and cell proliferation.

You can read the full article published in IJMS for a more detailed explanation here.