SynthesisCancer medicine2020
Safety and efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in oncology: A systematic review.
Synthesis in Cancer medicine, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 47 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Reducing rAdiation aDverse Effects of dermatitIs and mucosAl inflammatioN Using Red Light Therapy
A Pilot Study to Describe the Effect of Photobiomodulation in Reducing the Severity and Incidence of Oral Mucositis in Oral Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Treatment
Who cites it
47 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 101 citations in OpenAlex.
- Impact of photobiomodulation in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw : a systematic review.Lasers in medical science · 2025Pooled it
- The supportive use of photobiomodulation on salivary glands: a narrative review and meta-analysis.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2024Pooled it
- Photobiomodulation: A Systematic Review of the Oncologic Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy for Aesthetic Skin Rejuvenation.Aesthetic surgery journal · 2023Pooled it
- Photobiomodulation therapy in management of cancer therapy-induced side effects: WALT position paper 2022.Frontiers in oncology · 2022Pooled it
- Safety and efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in oncology: A systematic review.Cancer medicine · 2020Pooled it
- A single photobiomodulation session selectively improves vocal stability and respiratory capacity in teachers with severe vocal fatigue.Lasers in medical science · 2025Trial
- Prevention of pain and oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy through the use of a high-energy light source: A randomized clinical study.Lasers in medical science · 2025Trial
- Influence of different photobiomodulation protocols on the prevention of chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia in breast cancer patients treated with Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide: a phase III, randomized, triple-blinded non-inferiority clinical trial.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Trial
- The use of photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial (NEUROLASER trial).Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022Trial
- A Dosimetric Reappraisal of the Photobiomodulation Literature Assessing Animal Safety and Phototoxicity Evidence for Photobiomodulation in Oncology: Phantom Dangers.Biomedicines · 2026Review
- Modulation of resting macrophage activity via low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and α-lipoic acid: an in vitro study using a PCL-based biomaterial.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Photobiomodulation mitigates the inhibitory effects of pirfenidone on cancer-associated fibroblasts and their pro-tumorigenic properties: a cause for concern.Lasers in medical science · 2026Article
- Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Management of Orofacial Neuropathic Pain-WALT Position Paper 2026.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Transcranial photobiomodulation for the treatment of chemobrain: new perspectives from a pilot study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Advancements in photobiomodulation for generating functional beta cells from adipose derived stem cells in 3D culture: a comprehensive review.Stem cell research & therapy · 2025Review
- Photobiomodulation associated with functional elastic bandaging promotes recovery from tissue necrosis in surgical wounds.Lasers in medical science · 2025Article
- Cumulative effect of photobiomodulation by blue and red light on tumor cells: in vitro study with mammary adenocarcinoma cells - MCF-7.Lasers in medical science · 2025Article
- Photobiomodulation therapy.JADA foundational science · 2025Review
- Photobiomodulation on vocal training and rehabilitation: Delphi consensus based on experts.CoDAS · 2025Article
- Photobiomodulation therapy approach to a rare phenomenon of radiation recall reaction triggered by cisplatin in a cervical cancer patient: a case report and scoping review.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
12 authors at 10 institutions in 5 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
We performed a systematic review of the current literature addressing the safety and efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in cancer patients. In this systematic review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, which investigated the effect of PBMT on cell proliferation/differentiation, tumor growth, recurrence rate, and/or overall survival were included. The Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched through April 2020. A total of 67 studies met the inclusion criteria with 43 in vitro, 15 in vivo, and 9 clinical studies identified. In vitro studies investigating the effect of PBMT on a diverse range of cancer cell lines demonstrated conflicting results. This could be due to the differences in used parameters and the frequency of PBM applications. In vivo studies and clinical trials with a follow-up period demonstrated that PBMT is safe with regards to tumor growth and patient advantage in the prevention and treatment of specific cancer therapy-related complications. Current human studies, supported by most animal studies, show safety with PBMT using currently recommended clinical parameters, including in Head & Neck cancer (HNC) in the area of PBMT exposure. A significant and growing literature indicates that PBMT is safe and effective, and may even offer a benefit in patient overall survival. Nevertheless, continuing research is indicated to improve understanding and provide further elucidation of remaining questions regarding PBM use in oncology.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.