Use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM) for the management of the hand-foot syndrome (HSF) or palmo-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPED) associated with cancer therapy.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether photobiomodulation (PBM) might be effective for chemotherapy-induced palmo-plantar erythrodyesthesia (PPED), as it is for mucositis or radio dermatitis; no standard therapy exists for PPED. Patients were allocated to PBM or sham irradiation and were blindly assessed after 2 weeks. Pain and satisfaction with treatment were also evaluated. We found a significant benefit from PBM in comparison with sham treatment (p < 0.03) and a decrease of pain in 49% of the patients. No adverse reactions were observed. We concluded that PBM might represent a useful approach for the management of PPED.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a review of the potential efficacy of low-level laser therapy.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) resulting from administration of bisphosphonates (BP) or denosumab is a rare but severe complication in cancer patients. Complete remission depends on the stage of ONJ; it can be estimated in the range of 20-30 %. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a logical additional option, as it has been recognized effective for the management of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy-induced mucositis. LLLT irradiation has anti-inflammatory actions and thus can help to control pain, as well as biostimulating properties with favorable actions on bacterial control and wound healing. We review the results of seven published studies of LLLT in BP-associated ONJ. LLLT results in an overall response rate of 55 % superior to that observed in controls (30 %). Our review suggests that there might be an advantage to add LLLT to the "classical" management of ONJ. This therapy is easy to administer and is not associated with any known side effects. Further research is needed to remove any doubt of protection or enhancement of carcinogenic processes. We believe that prospective well-controlled studies of LLLT in ONJ are warranted. If the positive results are confirmed, it would represent a great improvement for the quality of life of many patients.