The impact of long-course chemoradiotherapy on the myenteric plexus, neuromuscular functions and responses to prokinetic drugs in the human rectum.
Victor W S KungJohn BroadRaj MakwanaAlexandra PalmerNicholas BaidooSarah EptonShezan ElahiJoanne Chin-AleongMohamed ThahaCharles H KnowlesGareth John SangerPublished in: United European gastroenterology journal (2024)
Several months after chemoradiotherapy, the rectum was not inflamed and myenteric neuron numbers/phenotype unchanged. However, nitrergic activity was increased relative to cholinergic activity, and prokinetic-like drug activity was lost or greatly reduced. Thus, chemoradiotherapy causes long-term changes in neuromuscular functions and markedly reduces the efficacy of drugs for treating constipation.