Prostate RadIotherapy and the MicrobiomE (PRIME)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Microbiota-based Prediction of Radiation Enteropathy After Radiotherapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer
IRAS ID
349563
Contact name
Miguel Reis Ferreira
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College London
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Pelvic radiotherapy is an important curative option for patients with prostate cancer. However, significant gastrointestinal side effects occur in up to 50% of patients who receive such treatment, in both the early phase (under 3 months from treatment) and the late phase (over 3 months from treatment). This study is aimed at improving radiotherapy for prostate cancer by establishing a clinically usable tool for predicting radiation-induced gastrointestinal side-effects affecting many survivors of the disease (also termed radiation enteropathy). We will also provide evidence of the biological rationale of interactions between the host (human) and the gut microbiota that may help develop more effective treatments for short and long-term side-effects.
The study will use previous datasets from two studies to create the largest microbiome database for radiation enteropathy. Using this data, we will develop a model to predict gastrointestinal side-effects from radiotherapy for prostate cancer based on gut microbiome data, radiation dose, and clinically relevant medications and comorbidities. The model will then be applied to an ongoing trial of radiotherapy in prostate cancer to see whether it can accurately predict those at risk of radiation enteropathy.
We will also analyse the microbiome and metabolites of faecal samples donated by an ongoing trial for pelvic radiotherapy to further explore associations between the pre-radiotherapy microbiome, metabolic profiles, and radiation enteropathy.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NW/0032
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion