Radiation Skin Injury Care in Radiotherapy for Oncology: Mechanisms, Drug Therapy and Novel Biomaterial Application Strategies

Abstract Radiation skin injury (RSI) is a frequent adverse effect of radiation therapy for malignant tumors. It often leads to problems such as decreased quality of life in patients and interferes with the normal course of radiation therapy (RT). With the rising incidence of tumors and the burgeoning number of patients undergoing RT, the care of RSI is of crucial importance in cancer patient treatment. Currently, drugs and biomaterials are widely used in the care of RSI. However, there is no international consensus on the current protocol for the therapeutic care of RSI. Many drugs and biomaterials cannot be applied to the appropriate type of radiation dermatitis, resulting in unfavorable results in the therapeutic care of RSI. The choice of appropriate drugs and biomaterials for the therapeutic care of the different types of RSI is essential to improving the quality of life of patients. This article first reviews the main mechanisms of acute and chronic RSI. Subsequently, the application of drugs and novel biomaterials in the preventive, acute, and chronic phases of the care of RSI is summarized. Finally, the suggestions and protocols for the application of novel biomaterials in the care of RSI are discussed, as are the current challenges and future prospects for the development of combined biomaterials and integrated care solutions.