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30,000 people in the UK are treated with pelvic radiotherapy each year. Rectal bleeding is a common symptom side effect caused by radiation proctopathy (RP). RP is due to the effect of radiation on the rectum (back passage) which causes poor blood supply (ischaemia) which leads to stiffness/scarring (fibrosis) and the development of abnormal blood vessels on the surface of the lining of the rectum (telangiectasia) which can bleed (1, 2). Six percent of patients will develop severe bleeding from RP (3), passing large amounts of blood and clots, often leading anaemia (low blood count) requiring either tablet or intravenous (IV) iron replacement, or blood transfusion.
There are very few safe, effective, evidence-based treatments available for RP. Purastat® is a new haemostatic agent (treatment that stops bleeding) which is licensed to treat bleeding from blood vessels in the gut. It is a liquid containing four peptides (protein building-blocks). When this liquid comes in contact with blood these peptides join together to form a mesh which closes the broken blood vessel thereby stopping the bleeding (4-7). Purastat is safe with no side effects and it breaks down amino acids, which are tissue building blocks that can be used to repair the site of injury (7). There are many studies which show that Purastat® is effective at stopping bleeding quickly and safely (within 10-20 seconds) (6-13). Early data from a case series of 21 patients by the research team has shown improvement in symptoms and endoscopic appearance. This study is a dual site randomised feasibility study of 80 patients. It will obtain initial data into the safety and efficacy Purastat in reducing bleeding in people with severe haemorrhagic RP. These data will be used to support funding for an definitive randomised controlled trial.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
This is in the inclusion criteria above
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
The study is sponsored by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and is in collaboration with National Institute for Health Research, United Kingdom.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
