Could a common herpes drug ease cancer treatment's painful mouth sores?
NCT ID NCT07363031
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether the antiviral drug valacyclovir can prevent or reduce painful mouth sores (oral mucositis) in adults receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Researchers will give either valacyclovir or a placebo to 84 participants during their radiation treatment. They will monitor mouth sores, pain, and herpesvirus activity to see if the drug helps.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Valacyclovir
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple antiviral pill to prevent severe mouth sores during head and neck cancer radiotherapy.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial. The benefit may be small or absent, and valacyclovir can cause side effects like nausea or headache.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Instituto Oncoclinicas
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-905, Brazil