Should cancer patients get antibiotics for a dubious c. diff test? small trial seeks answers

NCT ID NCT03030248

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study looked at whether giving the antibiotic vancomycin helps cancer patients who have diarrhea and a positive screening test for C. difficile but a negative toxin test. Only 9 patients were enrolled, far fewer than planned. Researchers measured changes in C. difficile levels in stool and other gut bacteria over 90 days. The results are too limited to draw firm conclusions.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: vancomycin oral capsules
What this could lead to: If it works, this could help doctors decide whether to treat certain C. diff infections in cancer patients with antibiotics, reducing unnecessary use.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase study with only 9 participants, so results may not be reliable or apply to broader populations. The infection type studied is controversial and may not need treatment at all.

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.

Clostridium difficile colitis Clostridium infectious disease hematologic disorder neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION HEMATOLOGIC DISEASES ONCOLOGIC DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States

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