Low-Level Laser Therapy for Lung Diseases: From the Bench to the Bed

Curiously, the research groups that were interested in investigating

the beneficial effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on lung

diseases evaluated both the lung function and the reduction in

clinical symptomwithout knowing the mechanism of action of LLLT.

Of course, the main target of every treatment used for a disease

is improving the patient’s condition. However, the low-level laser

is an alternative therapy with anti-inflammatory properties which

are known up to the treatment moment. Therefore, there is a need

to characterize that the ideal dosimetry can induce and maintain

an anti-inflammatory response in both airway and lung. In this

context, the investigation of the action mechanism of LLLT was

necessary for understanding if laser light can act like conventional

pharmacological therapy for treating lung diseases, andmainly what

immune and inflammatory cells as well as chemical mediators and

transcription factors LLLT can interact with. Another important

view that the investigation could clarify is the mistaken notion that

the same dose used to relieve pain in rheumatoid arthritis can be

used to treat asthma symptoms. Certainly, the wavelength chosen

for treating each disease will be in the “therapeutic window” of

the electromagnetic spectrum, but the wavelength is just a variable

among the physical parameters of lasers that can interfere in

the anti-inflammatory effect of LLLT. A well-established dosimetry

would facilitate the prescription of an appropriate dose that would

be effective in reducing lung inflammation. Furthermore, with a

range of doses already established, it would be possible to evaluate if

LLLT has some interferences with other medicines used for treating

inflammatory lung disorders.