Dusquetide is in clinical development for the treatment of chemoradiation induced oral mucositis (OM) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. OM is the most common toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer who are treated with chemoradiation, which not only impairs their function and quality of life but also affects their survival and outcomes from the disease. OM is characterised as an inflammation of the oral and gastrointestinal mucous membranes accompanied by many complex mucosal and submucosal changes. Symptoms of OM vary from pain and discomfort to an inability to tolerate food and fluids. Dusquetide is administered intravenously. It works by controlling the immune response system and intracellular signalling pathways. Dusquetide is effective in reducing inflammation, reducing bacterial infection and aiding in the tissue healing. If licensed, dusquetide may offer a treatment option for OM in patients with concomitant chemoradiation treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Dusquetide for chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
