Treatment for Chemo Mouth May Alleviate Effects from Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy

A new prescription oral gel, Gelclair, has been introduced to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with oral mucositis, a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients.

The prescription oral gel Gelclair to relieve pain associated with oral mucositis — also called “chemo mouth” — has been launched in the United States, according to a press release from Jaguar Health.

Oral mucositis is inflammation of the mouth’s mucous membranes and, according to Cleveland Clinic, can lead to white patches of puss and sores in the mouth. It is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with nearly 40% of all patients treated with chemotherapy developing this complication, per the release. Oral mucositis also occurs in nearly 90% of patients with head and neck cancers treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

“A key attribute in the management of head and neck cancer patients with Gelclair is, in my experience, to delay the onset, which may decrease the severity of oral mucositis, allowing the patients to continue meeting their nutritional needs without having to go on a feeding tube, supporting their ability to withstand their six weeks of radiation therapy without having to go to lower doses or treatment disruption, and to avoid the need for heavy prescription meds for oral mucositis-related pain,” Dr. Maged Ghaly, a radiation oncologist at Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Monter Cancer Center in North New Hyde Park, New York, said in the press release.

The release also noted that approximately 19% of patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy may be hospitalized because of oral mucositis, which may lead to a delay in chemotherapy. This can also lead to a worse prognosis, reduction in quality of life and increase in patient management costs.

The release noted findings from a third-party study on the costs associated with mucositis/pharyngitis (inflammation of the back of the throat), which occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients in the study with head and neck cancers. In this study, the incremental costs of oral mucositis in these patients exceeded $17,000.

“Those of us working in the oncology field know the impact that side effect-related delays or cessation of cancer treatment can have on overall survival and on the efficacy of treatment,” Catherine Collis, Senior Vice President of Growth Strategy at Jaguar Health, said in the release. “Of patients with head and neck cancers treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy who develop oral mucositis, half of the cases are typically considered severe — meaning oral mucositis of grade 3 or 4, which typically puts a patient in the hospital requiring parenteral nutrition (nutrients into the vein to bypass the digestive system) and IV hydration, and the morbidity and expense associated with that.”

According to the product’s website, Gelclair is a portable gel packet that can be used three times a day. After stirring in water, the patient would rinse their mouth with Gelclair for at least one minute, spit it out, then wait 30 to 60 minutes before drinking or eating.

“Oral mucositis is among the most common, painful and debilitating cancer treatment-related side effects,” Lisa Conte, president and CEO of Jaguar Health, said in the release. “Gelclair is a gel with a mechanical action indicated for the management of pain and relief of pain by adhering to the mucosal surface of the mouth. It coats and protects the oral mucosa, which supports healing.”

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.