Probiotic Lozenges Reduced Mucositis in Radiation Trial
A randomized trial found that Limosilactobacillus reuteri helped mitigate severe oral mucositis in cancer patients.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cancer
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A phase II trial conducted through January 2025 demonstrated that Limosilactobacillus reuteri lozenges significantly lowered the rate of severe oral mucositis in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy. The study, which began in March 2024, observed a marked clinical improvement in the probiotic treatment group compared to the placebo.
Why it matters
Oral mucositis is a common and painful side effect of radiation therapy that can disrupt treatment schedules and lower patient quality of life. This research provides a potential non-invasive strategy to manage the severity and duration of this condition in oncology patients.
The clinical trial of 160 patients reported an absolute risk reduction of 23.8 percentage points for severe oral mucositis. The study achieved a relative risk of 0.61 with a P-value of 0.004 for the primary endpoint.
The players
West China Hospital of Sichuan University
This facility is a major academic medical center located in Chengdu, China, that serves as a primary hub for clinical research.
The details
Researchers at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University administered the L. reuteri probiotic or a placebo to participants twice daily throughout their radiotherapy course. Beyond reducing incidence rates, the probiotic supplementation also delayed the onset and shortened the duration of oral symptoms without significant safety issues.
Timeline
Trial enrollment and procedures began in March 2024.
All trial procedures were concluded by January 2025.
Health Landscape
This study follows the rigorous methodology set by the National Cancer Institute clinical trial protocol standards to evaluate new supportive care interventions for radiotherapy patients. These findings represent a significant scientific milestone in managing treatment-related toxicities through microbial-based therapies.
Patients undergoing radiation therapy may eventually have access to probiotic lozenges as a simple, low-risk way to manage oral inflammation. Consultation with an oncologist remains essential before introducing any new supplement into a radiation treatment plan.
The takeaway
Probiotic interventions show potential as a safe and effective supportive care measure to improve tolerance to radiation therapy. Integrating such therapies could improve daily comfort for patients throughout their oncology treatment journey.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research in the Cancer section.
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