Single-center phase 3 trial of bacterial decolonization with mupirocin ointment for acute radiaton oral mucositis prevention

Acute radiation oral mucositis (AROM) is a major dose-limiting toxic effect in patients undergoing radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A phase 3 trial at Nanchang Medical College (Beijing, China) found that bacterial decolonization with mupirocin ointment reduced severe AROM (grade ≥ 3) by more than half (from 48% to 23%) during radiotherapy. It also alleviated oral pain and swallowing difficulties and reduced oral Staphylococcus aureus colonization rates. The authors conclude that bacterial decolonization with mupirocin ointment is a promising strategy for alleviating AROM in NPC patients undergoing radiotherapy.