Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in breast cancer patients.
Methods
A prospective, randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial (NEUROLASER) was set up with 32 breast cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03391271). Patients were randomized to receive PBM (n = 16) or placebo treatments (n = 16) (2 × /week) during their chemotherapy. The modified Total Neuropathy Score (mTNS), six-minute walk test (6MWT), Numeric pain Rating Scale (NRS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Taxane (FACT/GOG-Taxane) were used to evaluate the severity of CIPN and the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Outcome measures were collected at the first chemotherapy session, 6 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy, at the final chemotherapy session, and 3 weeks after the end of chemotherapy (follow-up).
Results
The mTNS score increased significantly over time in both the control and the PBM group. A significantly higher score for FACT/GOG-Taxane was observed in the PBM group during chemotherapy compared to the control group. Questions of the FACT/GOG-Taxane related to sensory peripheral neuropathy symptoms showed a significant increase in severeness over time in the control group, whereas they remained constant in the PBM group. At follow-up, a (borderline) significant difference was observed between both groups for the 6MWT and patients’ pain level, in benefit of the PBM group.
Conclusions
This NEUROLASER trial shows promising results concerning the prevention of CIPN with PBM in breast cancer patients. Furthermore, a better QoL was observed when treated with PBM.
Objectives
The evidence demonstrating the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for preventing and managing acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is growing steadily. The question that arises from many clinicians is, if PBM is safe for oncologic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the disease‐free survival (DFS), cancer‐free survival (CFS), and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients treated with PBM for ARD.
Methods
Clinical data of 120 breast cancer patients treated with prophylactic PBM (n = 60, 2x/week, 808−905 nm, 4 J/cm2) or placebo (n = 60) during conventional fractionation (CF) radiotherapy (RT) between April 2015 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed (TRANSDERMIS trial). During follow‐up (April 2015 to May 2022), patients underwent a complete clinical evaluation every 6 months and blood analysis and mammography yearly in the first 5 years after the end of RT. The DFS, CFS, and OS were estimated.
Results
At a median follow‐up time of 66 months (range 4−81), there was no significant difference in DFS (73.7% vs. 98.3%, resp., p = 0.54), CFS (68.4% vs. 77.8%, resp., p = 0.79), and OS (87.9% vs. 98.3%, resp., p = 0.30) between the placebo and PBM group.
Conclusions
This paper is the first to describe the results of a long‐term follow‐up in early‐stage breast cancer patients who underwent PBM for ARD. Results suggest that using PBM in breast cancer patients undergoing CF RT does not influence the locoregional recurrence, the development of new primary tumors, or OS.
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