image: Figure 7: Timeline diagram showing cell isolation and proliferation on PLGA. Day 1, excision of the jugal cheek pouch and cell isolation (A, B); day 2, cell proliferation in the culture dish, such as represented by the cells in an amplified image in (C) (Nikon/ ECLIPSE Ti-S/objective 20X); day 3, addition of 3 × 105 cells on the PLGA membrane; days 4, 5, 6, 7, the cells were proliferating on the PLGA membrane (D, E - Cell Tracker-red/Molecular Probes Life Technologies/lot 1756851/Nikon/ECLIPSE Ti-S/objective 20X); day 7, the PLGA dressing with or without cells were applied to the ulcerative lesions as dressings for 6 days; day 13, the dressing was removed and the ulceration region was excised for optical microscopy analysis. Scale bars: 100 µm.
Credit: Copyright: © 2025 Chor et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
“To our knowledge, this is the first-in-animal preliminary study, which used a biocompatible electrospun membrane with the addition of autologous cells for ulcerative oral mucositis regeneration.”
BUFFALO, NY – February 25, 2025 – A new research paper was published in Oncotarget, Volume 16, on February 18, 2025, titled “Leukopenia, weight loss and oral mucositis induced by 5-Fluorouracil in hamsters’ model: A regenerative approach using electrospun poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) membrane.”
Researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian Center for Research in Physics have investigated a novel approach to treating oral mucositis, a painful and debilitating side effect of chemotherapy. Led by first author and corresponding author Ana Chor, the study examined the effectiveness of an electrospun poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) membrane in promoting tissue regeneration in an animal model of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. The findings suggest that PLGA membranes, particularly when combined with the body’s own healing cells, significantly accelerate the recovery process and reduce inflammation. This promising discovery could lead the way for improved treatments for cancer patients experiencing severe mouth ulcers during chemotherapy.
Oral mucositis affects many cancer patients undergoing 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy, often leading to difficulty in eating, drinking, and speaking. Despite its prevalence, effective treatments remain limited. In this study, researchers applied electrospun PLGA membranes to 5-FU-induced ulcers in hamsters. Some of these membranes were infused with autologous mesenchymal cells—cells taken from the animal itself—to enhance the healing process.
The study showed significant results, as ulcers treated with PLGA membranes containing autologous cells healed completely within six days, along with reduced inflammation and the formation of new blood vessels essential for tissue repair. While PLGA membranes without added cells also contributed to healing, the recovery process was slower.
“This innovative approach holds significant therapeutic potential, as it utilizes the host’s mesenchymal cells and nanotechnology tools to design a scaffold that mimics the organism’s microenvironment.“
These findings highlight the potential of using bioengineered materials to treat chemotherapy-induced oral lesions. While further research is necessary before this approach can be tested in clinical settings, the study provides a strong foundation for future investigations. If successfully translated to human treatment, this technique could significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients by offering a more effective solution for managing chemotherapy-related mouth ulcers.
Continue reading: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28685
Correspondence to: Ana Chor – anamedoral@gmail.com
Keywords: cancer, leukopenia, weight loss, oral mucositis, PLGA dressing, regeneration
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About Oncotarget:
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Journal
Oncotarget
Method of Research
News article
Subject of Research
Animals
Article Title
Leukopenia, weight loss and oral mucositis induced by 5-Fluorouracil in hamsters’ model: A regenerative approach using electrospun poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) membrane
Article Publication Date
18-Feb-2025
COI Statement
Authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.