Background: Alimentary mucositis is a significant complication of cancer therapy, with important clinical and economic implications.
Materials and methods: In June 2005, the Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society for Oral Oncology conducted an evidence-based review of the literature on alimentary mucositis. The goal of this literature review was to update previously published guidelines for the management of mucositis.
Results: This article reports the findings of the subgroup charged with reviewing the literature related to anti-inflammatory interventions. Considerable preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that the use of anti-inflammatory agents may be a promising approach to reduce the severity of mucositis. However, there was not enough evidence to support any new guidelines advocating the use of any specific anti-inflammatory intervention.
Conclusion: Thus, there is a need for well-designed clinical trials evaluating the use of anti-inflammatory agents in the management of mucositis.