Oral mucositis is the inflammation of the mouth that affects hundreds of thousands cancer patients as a result of treatment, especially in patients with head and neck cancer. This paper will focus on ..
Oral mucositis is the inflammation of the mouth that affects hundreds of thousands cancer patients as a result of treatment, especially in patients with head and neck cancer. This paper will focus on the comprehension of the development of oral mucositis and aim to develop a potential inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of the condition. Oral mucositis begins to develop within days of the first treatment session. The symptoms to this painful condition aresevere mouth sores, oral pain, difficulty swallowing, and oral ulcers. Mucositis can become so severe for a patient that it can lead to temporary and permanent interruptions in the treatment. Current treatment for mucositis is expensive, partially effective, and only for specific types of tumors. Curcumin is a herbal dietary component that possess strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities 1, 2, 3. Pre-clinical studies have provided preliminary support for the use of curcumin in the treatment and/or preventing the relapse of various inflammatory diseases. In order to develop a potential inhibitor for mucositis, a highly soluble curcumin will be delivered to the target sight through the lumen of the colon as opposed to the circulatory system. This will be executed using the innovative and patented “Ora-Curcumin-S” technology. With this information is it hoped that an inhibitor is developed for the prevention and treatment of this painful and debilitating condition.