Microbiota & Radiotherapy (M & RT) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploratory Evaluation of the Impact of the Microbiota in Radiation Enteropathy
IRAS ID
130287
Contact name
David Dearnaley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Radiation enteropathy is a serious disease arising in a large proportion of cancer patients after abdomino-pelvic radiotherapy, decreasing quality of life. Its causes, however, remain unknown. Recent research indicates that the intestinal bacteria, collectively known as the intestinal microbiota, are strongly suspected of being very important in intestinal inflammation and lesion. Furthermore, its balance deeply changes during abdomino-pelvic radiotherapy.
Studies done so far in the field of the microbiota-host relationship in radiotherapy have several limitations. Studies performed in humans or animal models have been flawed by methodology issues and its clinical relevance is questionable. Moreover, the role of the microbiota in late radiation enteropathy, the most serious and dose-limiting side-effect of abdomino-pelvic radiotherapy, has never been addressed.
We aim to perform studies on well characterized populations of patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy or in follow-up after this treatment. We will assess how microbial populations evolve and how this influences the host in a significant number of patients in different settings. This will enable us to not only assess the modification in microbial population and function in cancer patients undergoing abdomino-pelvic radiotherapy, but also how this modification relates to radiation enteropathy. This research may also suggest possible treatments and new ways to predict patients at risk of this disease.
Radiotherapy is the most commonly used curative treatment for prostate cancer in the UK. Long term survival is obtained for most patients and “survivorship” issues are now appreciated to be of considerable importance. Prevention and management of treatment-related toxicity is assumed to be a high priority. New ways of predicting and treating radiation enteropathy may stem from studies such as ours. Understanding the interaction of the microbiota with radiotherapy may lead to novel and inexpensive ways of assessing and managing complications of cancer treatment.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1527
Date of REC Opinion
25 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion