Objective: To observe the efficacy of Kangfuxin liquid on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its effects on salivary glands and immune function. Methods: A total of 97 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving radiotherapy in Guigang City People's Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a control group and a test group according to different treatment plans. The two groups received the same radiation therapy. Patients in the control group (n=46) were given borax-containing gargles, while those in the test group (n=51) were treated with Kangfuxin liquid. We observed the incidences and grades of oral mucositis and oral pain, changes in saliva flow rate, pH of saliva, levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and amylase, levels of CD4(+)/CD8(+), CD19(+)/CD69(+) and natural killer (NK) cells, and serum cytokine (TGF-beta 1, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP)) levels in the two groups before radiotherapy, and after 21 d and 42 d of radiotherapy. Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Head and Neck Cancer (QLICP-HN) scores were compared in both groups before radiotherapy, and after 42 d of radiotherapy. Results: No oral mucositis or oral pain was found before radiotherapy in both groups. The incidences of oral mucositis and oral pain after 21 d and 42 d of radiotherapy in the test group were not significantly different from those in the control group (all P > 0.05). The grades of oral mucositis and oral pain in the test group after 21 d and 42 d of radiotherapy were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The test group had higher saliva flow rate, pH of saliva, levels of EGF and amylase, and levels of CD4(+)/CD8(+), CD19(+)/CD69(+) and NK cells. The test group had lower serum levels of TGF-beta 1, IL-6, and CRP than the control group after 21 d and 42 d of radiotherapy (all P < 0.05). The scores of each item of the QLICP-HN scale and total scores in the test group were higher than those of the control group after 42 d of radiotherapy (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Kangfuxin liquid effectively prevents the occurrence of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, reduces oral mucosal reactions and oral pain, improves salivary gland function, reduces inflammatory response, promotes cellular immune function, improves quality of life, and improves prognosis.
