An unmet need for pharmacology: treatments for radiation induced
gastrointestinal mucositis.
Abstract
Gastrointestinal mucositis (GIM) continues to be a significant issue in
the management of abdominal cancer radiation treatments and
chemotherapy, causing significant patient discomfort and therapy
interruption or even cessation. This review will first focus on
radiotherapy induced GIM, providing an understanding of its clinical
landscape. Subsequently, the etiology of GIM will be reviewed,
highlighting diverse contributing factors. The cellular and tissue
damages and associated molecular responses in GIM will be summarised in
the context of the underlying complex biological processes. Finally,
available drugs and pharmaceutical therapies will be evaluated,
underscoring their insufficiency, and highlighting the need for further
research and innovation. This review will emphasize the urgent need for
improved pharmacologic therapeutics for GIM, which is a key research
priority in oncology.