Bee product may soothe radiation mouth sores in cancer patients
NCT ID NCT07597525
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a propolis mouth rinse could delay or prevent severe oral mucositis (painful mouth sores) in 140 head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation. Participants used either a 15% propolis solution or a placebo four times daily alongside standard oral care. The goal was to see if propolis could reduce this common, painful side effect and improve treatment tolerance.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 15% propolis solution
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a natural, low-cost way to delay or prevent severe mouth sores during radiation therapy, improving quality of life for head and neck cancer patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with 140 participants. The benefit may be modest or not apply to all patients. Allergic reactions to bee products are a risk.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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140 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2019
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A research network
The lead sponsor is a research network or cooperative group.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of head and neck cancer * Planned to receive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy to the head and neck region * Able to use the assigned oral solution with the swish-and-swallow method * Able to attend weekly clinical assessments during radiotherapy * Provided written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to propolis, bee products, bee stings, or any ingredient of the study solution * Medical condition preventing safe use of the swish-and-swallow protocol * Use of another non-protocol supplement or investigational product for prevention or treatment of oral mucositis * Unable or unwilling to provide written informed consent
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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
-
Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital
Ankara, Ankara, 06200, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Experimental pill HG146 put to the test against rare head and neck cancer
- Can a dental assistant keep cancer Patients' mouths healthier during radiation?
- Why do Non-Smokers get head and neck cancer? scientists probe tumor DNA
- Re-irradiation plus cetuximab targets head and neck tumors that return
- Sharper tumor maps: PET scans could tighten radiation beams
- Five days of radiation instead of weeks: a new test for head and neck cancer