Improvement Effect of Dexamethasone Enema for Acute Radiation-induced Rectal Injury

Summary

Research Objective and Principle: Through a randomized controlled study, evaluate the effectiveness of dexamethasone in improving radiation-induced rectal injury in rectal cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy, thereby providing evidence for treatment options in patients at risk of radiation-induced rectal injury and aiming for adoption in international guidelines. Primary Objective: Improvement rate of radiation-induced rectal injury. Secondary Objectives: Severity of radiation-induced rectal injury, completion rate of pelvic radiotherapy, safety of dexamethasone enema, quality of life, pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Study Design: Prospective, single-center, randomized controlled study. Study Population and Expected Enrollment: Patients with rectal cancer undergoing conventional pelvic radiotherapy, expecting to enroll 40 patients. Trial Duration: From February 2026 to February 2028. Intervention: Experimental Group: Patients will receive enema (dexamethasone 1 mL + normal saline to total 30 mL) once daily from day 10 of radiotherapy until radiotherapy completion. Control Group: Patients will receive enema (dexamethasone 1 mL + normal saline to total 30 mL) once daily from the occurrence of radiation-induced rectal injury until radiotherapy completion. Statistical Hypothesis: Based on previous reports, the incidence of acute radiation-induced rectal injury is 86%, and it is expected that the experimental group can reduce it to 40%. The sample size was estimated using a formula designed to compare 2 proportions, with a set at 0.05 and a power of 80%. The study aimed to enroll at least 36 patients. Considering a dropout rate of 10%, at least 40 patients need to be included.

Timeline

Start

2026-04-24

Primary completion

2027-04-24

Completion

2028-04-24

Publications

• Results Mohammadianpanah M, Tazang M, Nguyen NP, Ahmadloo N, Omidvari S, Mosalaei A, Ansari M, Nasrollahi H, Kadkhodaei B, Khanjani N, Hosseini SV. Preventive efficacy of hydrocortisone enema for radiation proctitis in rectal cancer patients undergoing short-course radiotherapy: a phase II randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Coloproctol. 2024 Oct;40(5):506-514. doi: 10.3393/ac.2024.00192.0027. Epub 2024 Oct 22.
• Results Sanguineti G, Franzone P, Marcenaro M, Foppiano F, Vitale V. Sucralfate versus mesalazine versus hydrocortisone in the prevention of acute radiation proctitis during conformal radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma. A randomized study. Strahlenther Onkol. 2003 Jul;179(7):464-70. doi: 10.1007/s00066-003-1082-4.
• Results Kochhar R, Patel F, Dhar A, Sharma SC, Ayyagari S, Aggarwal R, Goenka MK, Gupta BD, Mehta SK. Radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis. Prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of oral sulfasalazine plus rectal steroids versus rectal sucralfate. Dig Dis Sci. 1991 Jan;36(1):103-7. doi: 10.1007/BF01300096.
• Results 地塞米松在临床肿瘤治疗中的应用进展
• Results 放射性直肠损伤的预防与治疗临床实践指南
• Results 中国放射性直肠损伤多学科诊治专家共识（2021版）
• Results 中国放射性直肠炎诊治专家共识(2018版)
• Results Paquette IM, Vogel JD, Abbas MA, Feingold DL, Steele SR; Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Chronic Radiation Proctitis. Dis Colon Rectum. 2018 Oct;61(10):1135-1140. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001209. No abstract available.
• Results Jahraus CD, Bettenhausen D, Malik U, Sellitti M, St Clair WH. Prevention of acute radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis by balsalazide: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial in prostate cancer patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005 Dec 1;63(5):1483-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2005.04.032. Epub 2005 Aug 15.
• Results Gami B, Harrington K, Blake P, Dearnaley D, Tait D, Davies J, Norman AR, Andreyev HJ. How patients manage gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Nov 15;18(10):987-94. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01760.x.
• Results Qin Q, Huang B, Cao W, Zhou J, Ma T, Zhou Z, Wang J, Wang L. Bowel Dysfunction After Low Anterior Resection With Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy or Chemotherapy Alone for Rectal Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study from China. Dis Colon Rectum. 2017 Jul;60(7):697-705. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000000801.
• Results Qin Q, Ma T, Deng Y, Zheng J, Zhou Z, Wang H, Wang L, Wang J. Impact of Preoperative Radiotherapy on Anastomotic Leakage and Stenosis After Rectal Cancer Resection: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Dis Colon Rectum. 2016 Oct;59(10):934-42. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000000665.
• Results Haddock MG, Sloan JA, Bollinger JW, Soori G, Steen PD, Martenson JA; North Central Cancer Treatment Group. Patient assessment of bowel function during and after pelvic radiotherapy: results of a prospective phase III North Central Cancer Treatment Group clinical trial. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Apr 1;25(10):1255-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2006.09.0001.
• Results Andreyev J. Gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy: a new understanding to improve management of symptomatic patients. Lancet Oncol. 2007 Nov;8(11):1007-17. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(07)70341-8.
• Results Kumagai T, Rahman F, Smith AM. The Microbiome and Radiation Induced-Bowel Injury: Evidence for Potential Mechanistic Role in Disease Pathogenesis. Nutrients. 2018 Oct 2;10(10):1405. doi: 10.3390/nu10101405.
• Results Henson CC, Andreyev HJ, Symonds RP, Peel D, Swindell R, Davidson SE. Late-onset bowel dysfunction after pelvic radiotherapy: a national survey of current practice and opinions of clinical oncologists. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2011 Oct;23(8):552-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2011.04.002. Epub 2011 May 6.
• Results Chen W, Zheng R, Baade PD, Zhang S, Zeng H, Bray F, Jemal A, Yu XQ, He J. Cancer statistics in China, 2015. CA Cancer J Clin. 2016 Mar-Apr;66(2):115-32. doi: 10.3322/caac.21338. Epub 2016 Jan 25.
• Results Andreyev HJ, Vlavianos P, Blake P, Dearnaley D, Norman AR, Tait D. Gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy: role for the gastroenterologist? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005 Aug 1;62(5):1464-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2004.12.087.
• Results Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 May;71(3):209-249. doi: 10.3322/caac.21660. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

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