Using Botox to Reduce Dry Mouth in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
A new study shows that Botox injections combined with anti-nausea patches can significantly reduce salivary gland toxicity, improving quality of life for prostate cancer patients receiving radiopharmaceutical therapy.
Prostate cancer patients treated with radiopharmaceutical therapy, especially with alpha-emitting agents like Actinium-225 (225Ac-PSMA), often face the challenging side effect of severe dry mouth caused by salivary gland toxicity. Traditional methods such as cold packs, anticholinergic drugs, or external cooling have provided limited relief. However, recent research introduces a promising dual-protection strategy involving botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and anti-nausea patches.
In a study presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting, 14 patients received Botox injections into their parotid and submandibular salivary glands three to four weeks before undergoing combined Actinium-225 and Lutetium-177 PSMA radiotherapy. Alongside, patients wore nausea patches behind the ears starting three days prior to treatment, continuing until two hours afterward. Molecular imaging scans before and after therapy revealed a significant reduction in the glands' radioligand uptake.
The results showed an average 30% decrease in PSMA uptake in the treated parotid glands and an 17% reduction in the submandibular glands. The procedure was well tolerated, with only mild discomfort reported, and no participants had to discontinue therapy due to dry mouth. This reduction in salivary gland uptake indicates a lowered risk of damage and dryer mouth symptoms, which can greatly improve patient quality of life.
Dr. Jingjing Zhang, a lead researcher from the National University of Singapore, highlighted that combining Botox with nausea patches is a safe, effective method to protect salivary glands without compromising the therapy's ability to target prostate tumors. Importantly, both Botox and nausea patches are already FDA-approved medications, facilitating easier translation into clinical practice.
This innovative approach might significantly enhance treatment outcomes by reducing salivary gland toxicity, thereby making PSMA-targeted radiotherapy more tolerable. As dry mouth is a common and distressing side effect that impacts patient adherence, this strategy holds promise for improving overall patient well-being during prostate cancer treatment.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-botox-mitigates-debilitating-dry-mouth.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Impact of High-Fat Diets on Cellular Metabolism and Weight Gain
Research reveals how high-fat diets induce enzyme dysfunction in cells, leading to metabolic imbalance and weight gain, with antioxidants showing potential for reversal.
Understanding the Costs and Benefits of Publicly Funded Health Programs: Insights from an Economist
Exploring the economic impacts of public health investments, this article highlights the importance of tracking social determinants of health to improve policy efficiency and population wellbeing.
FDA Approves First Blood Test for Alzheimer's Disease in the US
The US has approved the first blood test for Alzheimer's, enabling earlier detection through a simple blood analysis that measures specific proteins linked to the disease, potentially transforming diagnosis and treatment.
Basophil Activation Test Surpasses Standard Methods in Detecting Milk Allergy in Children
A new study reveals that the Basophil Activation Test (BAT) outperforms traditional allergy tests in accurately diagnosing cow's milk allergy in children, potentially reducing the need for invasive food challenges.