Mechanisms Underlying Chemotherapy-Associated Mucositis: The Role of Inflammatory Mediators and Potential Therapeutic Targets

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced mucositis is a common, often severe, side effect experienced by cancer patients during their treatment, which is a major challenge for successful anticancer therapy. As chemotherapy regimens evolve to include more efficacious agents, mucositis is increasingly becoming a major cause of dose-limiting toxicity and merits further investigation. This condition is characterised by both inflammation and loss of cells from the epithelial barrier of the gastrointestinal tract. This article reviews the current understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms behind chemotherapy’s toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract and provides evidence that inflammation is a key factor behind gastrointestinal toxicity of chemotherapy. The authors discuss potential therapeutic targets that can contribute to mucositis treatment and prevention.

Keywords

• chemotherapy
• gastrointestinal (gi) tract
• inflammation