Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on radiation-induced oral mucositis in male Syrian hamsters

Abstract

Purpose: Oral mucositis is a frequent and dose-limiting side effect of radiotherapy or chemotherapy in cancer patients. We investigated the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on radiation-induced oral mucositis in male Syrian hamsters.

Method: Oral mucositis was induced in male Syrian hamsters by a single dose of 30-Gy irradiation. Eight days after irradiation, treatment with gel containing trafermin (basic fibroblast growth factor) at 1 or 10 μg up to day-21 was initiated. Re-epithelialization was graded using a six-point scoring system for oral mucositis. Samples of hamster cheek pouches were removed for histopathologic analyses and immunohistochemistry.

Results: The oral-mucositis score decreased in a dose-dependent manner upon trafermin treatment. Trafermin (10 μg) improved oral mucositis significantly compared with vehicle. Histopathology revealed that the degree of re-epithelialization was improved by treatment with trafermin (10 μg) compared with treatment with vehicle.

Conclusions: Administration of trafermin (10 μg) can prevent mucosal damage to hamster cheek pouches induced by irradiation.

Keywords:

• Oral mucositis
• irradiation
• trafermin
• hamster

Disclosure statement

AL 500 was brought from Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.

Notes on contributors

Satomi Sumikawa, has been researching effective drug for radiation-induced oral mucositis since 2015. In Ehime University Hospital, works at an ambulatory treatment center for outpatient chemotherapy.

Shinichi Watanabe, PhD, is a chief in basic research group of oral mucositis in division of pharmacy, Ehime university Hospital. He established model of radiation-induced oral mucositis and investigating effective drugs on oral mucositis.

Mamoru Tanaka, PhD, is deputy director of pharmaceutical division, Ehime University Hospital. He specializes in statistics and also good at of medical safety management.

Akihiro Tanaka, PhD, is a manager of pharmaceutical division, Ehime University Hospital. He is infectious control specialist pharmacist and investigating about risk and benefit of antibiotics use, proper use of antibiotics.

Hiroaki Araki, PhD, is an emeritus professor in the pharmaceutical department, Ehime University Hospital. He specializes in the central nervous system, and investigated about epilepsy.