Photobiomodulation has been recognized for over 40 years as an effective therapy. It is widely popular for its speed of wound healing by activating cellular systems that control tissue regeneration and repair, pain signaling, and inflammation.
Photobiomodulation, a type of low-dose light therapy, was recently found to lessen the severity of skin damage caused by radionecrosis (the breakdown of human tissue caused by radiation therapy). Further, it also sped wound healing, enhanced blood flow, and reduced inflammation by up to 19 days. The new Light therapy is a breakthrough for Light Therapy Glasses Market as it can speed up the repair of skin damage caused by radiation therapy by up to 50%.
The current findings are primarily based on previous research aimed at investigating the effectiveness of light therapy. The study looked at improvements in relieving pain from oral mucositis related to Chemotherapy and radiation.
However, this is the first successful study on photobiomodulation therapy for brachytherapy. The investigation might even encourage the advancement of this novel medication into controlled human clinical trials. This could potentially lead to better treatment of radiation cancer adverse effects.
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which a radiation source is implanted within the cancer tissue. This exposes healthy tissue to lesser amounts of radiation than teletherapy. The latter uses a beam of radiation to reach the tumor via the skin. Skin damage is still an undesirable side effect of brachytherapy, despite enhancing the precision and safety of cancer treatment.
Radionecrosis (like burn wounds) can produce scarring and inflammation while obstructing blood flow. Routine wound care, pain medication, and, in certain circumstances, surgery are among the current treatments for radionecrosis.
Now with Photobiomodulation, the scenario might change for the better. The technique promotes healing by activating TGFbeta1. It is a protein that regulates cell growth and division by stimulating various cells involved in healing. According to previous research, they are macrophages (immune cells that help fight infection, clean cell debris, and decrease inflammation) and fibroblasts (the body's main connective tissue cells that have a major role in tissue repair).
The current study looked at the usefulness of near-infrared and red LED light in promoting the recovery of skin injury after radiation therapy in an animal model.
It was found that wounds took an average of 61 days to heal without Photobiomodulation. Healing took an average of 49 days with near-infrared light treatment. When using red light treatment, healing took the shortest time, on average 42 days.
According to research, Photobiomodulation has little effect on tumor cells, owing to their disrupted metabolic and regulatory signals.