Could a simple steroid enema heal radiation damage in the gut?
NCT ID NCT06410443
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a steroid (dexamethasone) given as an enema can help heal intestinal damage caused by radiation therapy in cancer patients. The trial will enroll 60 adults with moderate to severe acute radiation-induced rectosigmoid injury. Participants will receive either the steroid enema plus standard care, or standard care alone, for one week. The goal is to see if the steroid reduces symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, and improves healing seen on endoscopy.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Dexamethasone (a steroid) given as a retention enema
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-invasive way to treat painful intestinal damage caused by radiation therapy, helping patients recover faster.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Steroids can have side effects, and previous studies on this approach have had mixed results.
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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
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Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command (formerly called General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area)
RECRUITINGShenyang, Liaoning, 110840, China
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