Can less be more? new study tests cutting antibiotics in cancer patients with sepsis

NCT ID NCT03683329

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Institut Paoli-Calmettes Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether reducing the use of strong, broad-spectrum antibiotics in cancer patients with sepsis or septic shock is as safe as continuing them. The goal is to lower the risk of creating drug-resistant bacteria. Researchers compared a de-escalation strategy to standard antibiotic treatment in 398 patients in intensive care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Antibiotic de-escalation strategy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that reducing antibiotic use in cancer patients with severe infections is safe, helping to slow the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to all cancer patients. The strategy might not be as safe as standard care, and individual patient factors could affect outcomes.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer infectious disease with sepsis neoplasm Sepsis toxic shock syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CANCER CRITICAL CARE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Institut Paoli Calmettes

Marseille, 13273, France

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