Common fibre supplement could spare men from radiotherapy side effects

A new research project we’re funding will look at whether a common fibre supplement could make radiotherapy for prostate cancer work better and cause fewer side effects.

If it works, the study could improve radiotherapy for the more than 18,000 men who have this treatment each year.

Radiotherapy can cause side effects including diarrhoea, bowel bleeding and bladder problems. These can have a big impact on a man’s quality of life during treatment and long afterwards. One reason this happens is that radiotherapy can cause inflammation that damages the gut.

This new research project, called the DIETRICH (pronounced ‘diet rich’) study, aims to tackle this by testing whether a fibre supplement called inulin can prevent these side effects or make them less severe.

Supporting the good bacteria

Inulin is a common fibre supplement that helps the ‘good’ bacteria in the gut to grow. These bacteria can help reduce inflammation, so they may also help reduce side effects from radiotherapy.

Early research from the team also suggests that inulin might make radiotherapy more effective at treating the cancer.

If that’s the case, this fibre supplement could make radiotherapy easier to live with, while also improving survival and reducing the risk of the cancer coming back.

DIETRICH is being led by Professor Anne Kiltie from the University of Aberdeen alongside co-lead Professor Ananya Choudhury from The University of Manchester. The project is backed by more than £660,000 from our Research Innovation Awards, which support bold ideas with the potential to change how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated, and improve life for men with prostate cancer.

If DIETRICH is successful, it could change how prostate cancer is treated. As well as improving men’s quality of life, it could also make treatment more cost-effective for healthcare systems, because fewer side effects would mean less need for extra treatment and hospital visits.

Transforming the future of prostate cancer treatment

Professor Ananya Choudhury, co-lead researcher on DIETRICH, said: "Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for prostate cancer but can cause men significant problems. We've already seen exciting early evidence that inulin can reduce side effects in men undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer, so this research has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of prostate cancer patients.

"Receiving funding from Prostate Cancer UK to undertake DIETRICH will allow us to confirm our initial findings from the lab, leading us on to a larger study."

Dr Matthew Hobbs, our Director of Research, said: "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, so it’s essential that we're supporting men at every step of their journey, from diagnosis to their lives post-treatment.

"We know that prostate cancer treatment can leave men with debilitating side effects that can last long after treatment. We can't just focus on treating the cancer, but must also make sure that men have good and comfortable lives after their treatment. That’s why we're so committed to funding research that sets out to transform the future of prostate cancer treatment.

"DIETRICH is an extremely promising study, which could enable men to live longer and better lives without additional treatment and hugely reduce side effects from radiotherapy. We're dedicated to funding research into better, more personalised care for men that improves their quality of life. DIETRICH is exactly that kind of project, and we’re excited to support it."

Roger Slater, 75, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2020. He had 32 sessions of radiotherapy, finishing in November 2020, alongside hormone injections for three years: "When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, it was a shock. I feel lucky that I'm now cancer free, but the side effects from radiotherapy have been hard for me, and I still struggle with them now, even though my treatment finished six years ago.

"Having a supplement to reduce the side effects from treatment would have made a huge difference for me. I hope the results of this study are positive so other men don't have to face the same difficulties I have."

Together, we can power research breakthroughs like DIETRICH. Donate today to help fund life-changing research that will give every man the power to navigate prostate cancer.

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