Effects of photobiomodulation therapy for acute radiation dermatitis in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of real-world evidence

Radiother Oncol. 2025 Jan:202:110589. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110589. Epub 2024 Oct 18.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in patients with cancer.

Materials and methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for articles published between database inception until July 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs examining the effects of PBMT against ARD in patients with cancer were included for analysis. A random-effects model was used to conduct meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses were conducted for cancer types and PBMT goals (prevention or treatment of ARD) with stratification for different grades of ARD.

Results: Eight studies (five RCTs and three non-RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the PBMT group exhibited significantly lower ARD incidence at grades 2 and 3 (risk difference = - 0.36, 95 % confidence interval = - 0.53 to - 0.19, I2 = 85 %, P = < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses revealed that, compared with the control group, PBMT had a significant effect on both breast cancer and head and neck cancer. In addition, PBMT significantly reduced grades 2 and 3 ARD incidence in the PBMT group for both prevention and treatment subgroups.

Conclusion: PBMT may have beneficial effects on the prevention and treatment of higher-grade ARD in patients with breast cancer and head and neck cancer. Nevertheless, the studies included in this meta-analysis exhibited high heterogeneity. Therefore, the results must be interpreted with caution.

Keywords: Acute radiation dermatitis; Cancer; Low-intensity laser; Low-level laser; Photobiomodulation therapy; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Low-Level Light Therapy* / methods
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Radiodermatitis* / etiology
  • Radiodermatitis* / radiotherapy