An ongoing research study of Access Pharmaceuticals' MuGard mucoadhesive oral wound rinse has found that it is effective in prevention, delay, and management of radiotherapy- and chemoradiotherapy- induced oral mucositis.
It also reduced the need for pain medicine and gastronomy use, according to the company.
Access Pharmaceuticals reported the findings at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress, September 23-27 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The study was conducted by the oncology and maxillofacial departments of Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, U.K.
In the study, 20 head and neck cancer patients were prospectively assessed for MuGard efficacy and tolerability, and compared with a historical comparison group of head and neck cancer patients.
Other study findings included the following:
- Patients using MuGard noted a reduction of the severity of both clinically assessed and patient perceived symptoms of oral mucositis.
- Patients reported a marked reduction in pain during and following treatment.
- MuGard use allowed patients to maintain oral nutrition and hydration for longer than usually seen, with a significant reduction in the use of supplements and gastrostomy feeding tubes.
- Patients using MuGard returned more quickly to a full and normal oral diet.
