Could a common antioxidant shield cancer patients from painful mouth sores?
NCT ID NCT07736495
First seen Jul 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether alpha-lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant, can prevent oral mucositis—painful mouth sores—caused by the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer patients. Half of the 50 participants will take alpha-lipoic acid twice daily for six months, while the other half receive a placebo. The study measures oxidative stress levels and tracks how many patients develop mouth sores, aiming to see if this simple supplement can ease a common and distressing side effect.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg twice daily
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to prevent a painful side effect of chemotherapy, improving quality of life and treatment adherence.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial. The antioxidant effect may not translate into fewer mouth sores, and alpha-lipoic acid could interact with chemotherapy.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment.
RECRUITINGCairo, Egypt
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