Could vaginal bacteria hold the key to better sex for breast cancer survivors?
NCT ID NCT05946668
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study examined the vaginal microbiome—the community of bacteria and other microbes—in 35 women with breast cancer who were receiving hormone therapy. The goal was to see if certain bacteria are linked to vaginal dryness and sexual health. Researchers collected vaginal swabs and had participants fill out questionnaires. The findings may help develop new ways to improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help identify a biomarker to predict or improve vaginal and sexual health in women with breast cancer on hormone therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed observational study with only 35 participants. It does not test a treatment, so any findings are preliminary and may not lead to direct clinical changes.
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.
- Participants
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35 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Finished
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Mar 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients with breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy at the Stephanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center (SSCBC) at the Ohio State University Medical Center.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- 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.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Women ages 18 years and older * Non-metastatic, estrogen and/or progesterone positive, human epidermal growth factor (HER) 2 negative breast cancer who will be receiving endocrine therapy, including tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitor, or ovarian suppression * Endocrine positive women who have received chemotherapy (adriamycin and cytoxan + taxol; taxotere and cytoxan) will still be eligible but must have completed their treatment Exclusion Criteria: * Triple negative breast cancer patients * Human epidermal growth factor (HER) 2 positive breast cancer patients * Metastatic disease
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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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Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
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