Radiation-Induced Intestinal Damage: Latest Molecular and Clinical Developments

Abstract

Aim: To systematically review the prophylactic and therapeutic interventions for reducing the incidence or severity of intestinal symptoms among cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Materials&methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using various search terms, including ‘radiation enteritis’, ‘radiation enteropathy’, ‘radiation-induced intestinal disease’, ‘radiation-induced intestinal damage’ and ‘radiation mucositis’. The search was limited to in vivo studies, clinical trials and meta-analyses published in English with no limitation on publication date. Other relevant literature was identified based on the reference lists of selected studies. Results: The pathogenesis of acute and chronic radiation-induced intestinal damage as well as the prevention and treatment approaches were reviewed. Conclusion: There is inadequate evidence to strongly support the use of a particular strategy to reduce radiation-induced intestinal damage. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are required for interventions with limited evidence suggestive of potential benefits.

Keywords::

• cancer
• intestinal damage
• ionizing radiation
• radiation enteritis
• radiation enteropathy

Author contributions

Each co-author listed above participated sufficiently in the work to take responsibility for the content, and that all those who qualify are listed.

Financial&competing interests disclosure

The work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFD0901102), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81560508, 51563022, 51562033), and Northwest Minzu University’s Double First-class and Characteristic Development Guide Special Funds-Chemistry Key Disciplines in Gansu Province (11080316). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFD0901102), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81560508, 51563022, 51562033), and Northwest Minzu University’s Double First-class and Characteristic Development Guide Special Funds-Chemistry Key Disciplines in Gansu Province (11080316). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.