Can a gut antibiotic ease Chemo's stomach woes?
NCT ID NCT04249622
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested the antibiotic rifaximin (Xifaxan) to see if it could reduce stomach issues like bloating, pain, and diarrhea in people with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer receiving pertuzumab-based chemotherapy. The trial planned to enroll 20 patients but was terminated early. The goal was to help patients complete their cancer treatment without delays or dose reductions due to side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- rifaximin (Xifaxan)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to manage severe stomach side effects from breast cancer treatment, helping patients stay on their chemotherapy schedule.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, early-phase trial that was terminated before completion, so results are limited. It is not a treatment for cancer itself, only for side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
-
Mayo Clinic in Florida
Jacksonville, Florida, 32224-9980, United States
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