Prevention of everolimus-related stomatitis in women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer using dexamethasone mouthwash (SWISH): a single-arm, phase 2 trial -

Prevention of everolimus-related stomatitis in women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer using dexamethasone mouthwash (SWISH): a single-arm, phase 2 trial
Information type: Other primary research
Source: The Lancet Oncology
Specialities: Cancers | Oral and dental health
Summary
In this single arm phase 2 study (n=92) dexamethasone 1mg solution was given as a mouthwash four times a day. The incidence of grade 2 stomatitis was 2% after 8 weeks which the authors contrast with a rate of 33% in the BOLERO-2 study.
UKMi comment
A related editorial highlights that the use of everolimus in clinic has been hampered by adverse effects, especially everolimus-induced oral mucositis, which is distinct from chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Whereas chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis tends to occur due to direct toxic effects of the chemotherapy on oral mucosa, everolimus-induced oral mucositis seems to be induced by local inflammation from the targeted therapy. The editorial highlights the limitations of this trial, but commends the authors for a well-conducted study of a cost-effective measure to prevent a potentially debilitating side-effect, and suggests that prophylactic dexamethasone mouthwash may be considered a potential option for the prevention of everolimus-induced oral mucositis
Related links: Editorial