Ozone Therapy for Oral Mucositis in Patients Receiving Head and Neck Cancer Radio- and Chemotherapy

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Oral Mucositis; Oral Stomatitis; Head and Neck Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis; Chemotherapy Induced Mucositis

• Registration Number: NCT07199712
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pavia

Brief Summary

Oral mucositis is a frequent and painful side effect of radio- and chemotherapy, especially in patients with head and neck cancer. It can cause severe discomfort, difficulty eating and swallowing, infections, and interruptions of cancer treatment. This study evaluates the effectiveness of ozone therapy, delivered both professionally in the dental clinic and at home with ozone-based toothpaste, mouthrinse, and gel, in reducing symptoms of oral mucositis and stomatitis.

Fifty-eight adult cancer patients with oral mucositis of at least WHO grade 1 are included. Professional ozone therapy sessions are performed in-office, combined with daily home use of ozonated products. The main goal is to determine how many days are needed for lesions to heal (WHO ≤ 1). A secondary goal is to measure pain reduction using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

This research aims to provide evidence for a supportive care protocol that may improve quality of life, reduce treatment complications, and support cancer patients during therapy.

Detailed Description

Oral mucositis and stomatitis are common toxicities in patients receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combined treatment for cancer, particularly in the head and neck region. These lesions significantly impair oral function, nutrition, and quality of life, and can lead to treatment interruptions and increased risk of infection. Current management options are limited and mainly supportive.

Ozone therapy (O₃) has demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. In dentistry and oral medicine, it has been applied to promote mucosal healing, modulate inflammatory responses, and enhance local circulation. This study investigates the combined use of professional in-office ozonotherapy and domiciliary application of ozonated toothpaste, mouthrinse, and gel for the treatment of oral mucositis and/or stomatitis in cancer patients.

Fifty-eight patients are enrolled and followed over multiple time points (baseline to day 15). The primary endpoint is the time to clinical response, defined as improvement to WHO grade ≤ 1. Secondary endpoints include reduction in pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), as well as exploratory comparisons between patients with head and neck cancers and those with malignancies in other anatomical sites.

The trial is designed as a prospective, interventional, single-arm, open-label study. Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA or non-parametric equivalents, with significance set at p\<0.05.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-22
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-30
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-30
• Study Start: 2025-10-01
• Primary Completion: 2025-11-15
• Study Completion: 2025-11-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 58

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Currently undergoing oncologic therapy (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combined treatment).
• Presence of oral mucositis or stomatitis of at least WHO grade 1 at baseline evaluation.

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnant women.
• Patients with Down syndrome.
• Patients with epilepsy.
• Patients with cardiac pacemakers.
• Patients with marked sensitivity to electrical current.
• Non-cooperative patients.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Time to Clinical Response of Oral Mucositis (WHO ≤ 1)	Baseline (initial evaluation) (T0); First treatment session (T1); 48 hours (T2; Day 5 (T3); Day 8 (T4); Day 12 (T5); Day 15 (T6).	Clinical response is defined as the first assessment at which oral mucositis improves to WHO grade ≤ 1. Evaluations are performed at baseline (day 0) and during follow-up visits at 48 hours, day 5, day 8, day 12, and day 15. Participants who do not achieve WHO ≤ 1 by day 15 are censored at their last evaluation.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Unit of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry - Section of Dentistry - Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatrics - University of Pavia; 🇮🇹 Pavia, Lombardy, Italy