Study looks at whether probiotics may reduce gut problems linked to cancer radiotherapy

Published: 8-Nov-2022

The 3-armed study has been completed and included 75 women with gynaecological cancer receiving pelvic radiotherapy

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Sweden-based Probi’s probiotic strains has been shown to reduce gastrointestinal problems for women receiving pelvic radiotherapy.

The 3-armed study included 75 women with gynaecological cancer receiving pelvic radiotherapy. The patients were either given a high or a low dose of the combined probiotic strains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 (HEAL9TM) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 6595 or a placebo. The study was conducted on two sites in Sweden.

When receiving radiotherapy in connection with gynaecological cancer, women often experience gastrointestinal problems during and after the therapy. This study showed significantly reduced severity and frequency of both abdominal pain and defecation urgency.

The study “Decreasing the Adverse Effects in Pelvic Radiation Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating the Use of Probiotics” was published in Advances in Radiation Oncology (2022)8, 101089.

Read the full publication here.

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