Children being treated for a type of brain cancer called medulloblastoma often experience stomach problems from radiation therapy. Researchers tested whether a special type of bacteria called Bacillus licheniformis could help reduce these side effects. In a study of 205 children, those who took this bacteria supplement had fewer stomach problems and less inflammation compared to children who didn’t take it. While the bacteria didn’t help children live longer, it did make them feel better during and after their cancer treatment, which is important for their quality of life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether giving children a probiotic (beneficial bacteria) supplement could reduce stomach problems and inflammation caused by radiation therapy for brain cancer
  • Who participated: 205 children with medulloblastoma (a type of brain cancer) treated at one hospital in China between 2015 and 2020. All children received the same radiation therapy to the brain and spine.
  • Key finding: Children who took the Bacillus licheniformis supplement had significantly fewer stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and lower levels of inflammation markers in their blood compared to children who didn’t take it. The differences were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to be due to chance.
  • What it means for you: If you or a child you know is undergoing radiation therapy for brain cancer, this research suggests that taking this specific probiotic supplement may help reduce uncomfortable stomach side effects. However, this should only be done under a doctor’s supervision, and it’s important to know this study was done in one hospital and may need to be confirmed by other research.

The Research Details

This was a clinical study comparing two groups of children with the same type of brain cancer. One group (the experimental group) received a probiotic supplement containing Bacillus licheniformis bacteria three times daily, starting the day before radiation therapy and continuing until the end of treatment. The other group (control group) received the same radiation therapy but no probiotic supplement. Researchers tracked what side effects each group experienced and measured inflammation markers in their blood before and after radiation therapy. They also followed both groups for five years to see how many children survived.

The study included 205 children total, divided between the two groups. All children received the same type of radiation therapy to the brain and spine, which is a standard treatment for medulloblastoma. This design allowed researchers to see if the only difference—the probiotic supplement—made a difference in outcomes.

Radiation therapy is a crucial treatment for brain cancer in children, but it often causes painful and uncomfortable side effects in the stomach and intestines. These side effects can make it harder for children to eat, stay hydrated, and maintain their strength during treatment. If a simple, safe supplement like probiotics can reduce these problems, it could significantly improve children’s quality of life during cancer treatment. Understanding what helps manage these side effects is important because it allows doctors to provide better care and comfort to their young patients.

This study has several strengths: it included a reasonably large number of children (205), compared two similar groups, measured both symptoms and blood markers of inflammation, and followed patients for five years. However, there are some limitations to consider: the study was conducted at only one hospital in China, so results may not apply to all populations; the study doesn’t clearly explain how children were assigned to each group; and there’s no mention of whether researchers or families knew which group was receiving the supplement (which could affect how side effects were reported).

What the Results Show

Children in the probiotic group experienced significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects from radiation therapy. Specifically, fewer children in the probiotic group developed nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other stomach problems compared to the control group. The differences were statistically significant, meaning researchers are confident these weren’t just random variations.

Blood tests also showed that children taking the probiotic had lower levels of inflammation markers—substances that indicate the body’s inflammatory response. These markers included C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and several interleukins (immune system chemicals). Lower inflammation levels suggest the probiotic was helping reduce the body’s inflammatory response to radiation damage.

The probiotic supplement appeared to work by helping maintain a healthier gut environment. The Bacillus licheniformis bacteria may have protected the intestinal lining from radiation damage and helped regulate the immune system’s response to that damage.

While the probiotic supplement successfully reduced stomach problems and inflammation, it did not improve survival rates. After five years of follow-up, the survival rates were similar between the two groups. This is an important finding because it shows that while the supplement made children feel better during treatment, it didn’t change the overall cancer outcomes. This suggests the probiotic’s benefit is primarily in managing side effects rather than fighting the cancer itself.

Previous research has shown that probiotics can help reduce inflammation and protect the intestines in various conditions. This study adds to that evidence by showing that probiotics may specifically help with radiation-induced stomach problems in children with cancer. However, most previous research on probiotics and cancer treatment has been limited, so this study provides valuable new information. The finding that probiotics reduce side effects but don’t improve survival is consistent with how we typically think about supportive care in cancer treatment—it helps patients feel better without directly fighting the cancer.

This study has several important limitations. First, it was conducted at only one hospital in China, so the results may not apply to children in other countries or healthcare settings. Second, the study doesn’t clearly explain how children were assigned to receive the probiotic or not, which could introduce bias. Third, there’s no mention of whether the study was ‘blinded’—meaning researchers and families might have known who was getting the supplement, which could affect how side effects were reported. Fourth, the study doesn’t provide detailed information about the children’s ages, cancer severity, or other treatments they received, which could affect results. Finally, while the probiotic helped with side effects, the study was relatively small and conducted over several years, so larger, more recent studies would help confirm these findings.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, Bacillus licheniformis supplementation may be considered as a supportive treatment to reduce gastrointestinal side effects in children undergoing radiation therapy for medulloblastoma. However, this should only be done under close medical supervision and with a doctor’s approval. The evidence is moderate—this study shows promise, but more research is needed. Parents and doctors should discuss whether this supplement is appropriate for their specific situation, considering the child’s overall health, other medications, and treatment plan.

This research is most relevant to children with medulloblastoma undergoing radiation therapy and their families. Pediatric oncologists and cancer care teams should be aware of this potential supportive treatment option. However, this study was specific to one type of cancer and one type of radiation therapy, so the results may not apply to children with other cancers or different treatment approaches. People without cancer should not assume these probiotics would help them in the same way.

Based on this study, children taking the probiotic supplement began experiencing fewer stomach problems during the radiation therapy period itself (which typically lasts several weeks). The inflammation markers in the blood improved by the end of radiation treatment. However, this was a supportive treatment to manage side effects, not a cure, so benefits would only continue as long as the supplement was being taken during treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily gastrointestinal symptoms during cancer treatment using a simple scale (none, mild, moderate, severe) for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite. Record this daily along with probiotic supplement intake to see if there’s a pattern of improvement.
  • If recommended by your doctor, set a daily reminder to take the probiotic supplement at the same times each day (such as with meals). Use the app to log when you take it and note any changes in how you feel, helping you and your medical team track whether it’s helping.
  • Over weeks of treatment, review your symptom log weekly to see if gastrointestinal problems are decreasing. Share this data with your cancer care team during appointments to help them understand how well the supplement is working for you and whether any adjustments are needed.

This research describes a specific study of one probiotic supplement in children with a particular type of brain cancer. These findings should not be used to self-treat or make medical decisions without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Probiotics may interact with other medications or treatments, and their safety and effectiveness can vary between individuals. Parents and patients should always discuss any supplements with their oncology team before starting them. This study does not prove the supplement is safe or effective for other types of cancer, other age groups, or other medical conditions. Always seek medical advice before beginning any new treatment or supplement during cancer care.