How a powerful cancer drug could relieve IBS

A powerful cancer drug for cancer patients is offered to people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), helping to relieve some of the most embarrbading and painful symptoms of the disease.

If a major new trial succeeds, it could open the door to the first targeted treatment for millions of Britons suffering from digestive disorders, causing bloating, abdominal discomfort and urgent bowel movements.

Karen Andrews, 57, is one of the first patients to benefit. She does not suffer much from symptoms and has suffered from severe diarrhea for more than three decades.

Former Human Resources Manager Burton Joyce, near Nottingham, said, "Wherever I went, I needed to plan meticulously to have quick and easy access to a toilet.

"Everything I ate went through in about 30 minutes and going out for a meal became a challenge.

"The new treatment has transformed my life."

The researchers hope to recruit 400 volunteers over the age of 18 with IBS to participate in the 12-week study. The trial is called Treatment of IBS with Ondansetron Diarrhea – TRITON.

Ondansetron, a cancer drug, blocks the activity of serotonin – a chemical produced by the brain, usually badociated with mood but also secreted by the digestive system. If too much is circulating in the intestine, this can trigger nausea and nausea.

Robin Spiller, an expert in digestive health at the Nottingham Biomedical Research Center, lead investigator of the trial, said, "Some IBD patients with diarrhea have an excess of serotonin in their gut, which stimulates frequent bowel movements. We want to know if ondansetron can try to block this effect. "

The distressing symptoms of IBS tend to come and go and can last for days, weeks or months. The exact cause is unknown – although the disease has been linked to hypersensitive nerves in the gut, stress and a family history of IBS.

This is usually a problem that does not last a lifetime, but diet changes and medications can often help control symptoms.

Ondansetron has been given to cancer patients for over 30 years as it helps to control the nausea and diseases caused by chemotherapy. A side effect was that it caused constipation.

In 2009, it was tested as IBS treatment for diarrhea in a small pilot study of 125 patients, which found that the drug reduced the frequency and urgency of the bowel.

About 10% of the UK's population suffers from IBS, with nearly two million doctor's appointments each year due to this disease. One third of IBS patients experience an emergency as the main symptom.

Prof Spiller said: "They are often given loperamide – also known as Imodium – which is effective but causes severe constipation. In addition, loperamide does not treat abdominal pain. "

Dr. Dipesh Vasant, gastroenterologist consultant at the NHS Foundation Trust at the University of Manchester, said the results of this new trial were "eagerly awaited by gastroenterologists around the world".

He said: "Many patients with IBS suffer from overwhelming symptoms, including diarrhea that is often uncontrollable. These devastating symptoms can lead to social discomfort and social withdrawal. "

Karen developed IBS after contracting a belly virus during her holidays in Tunisia, at the age of 21.

She said, "This disease has made my life sad for 35 years. I could eat bland foods, like potatoes in the jacket, but spicy or processed foods would trigger symptoms. Pork, mushrooms and cauliflower did the same.

"I often had to dose myself with Imodium before leaving the house.

"When I started the trial, I noticed the difference in a few days. I had less urgency and some of the pain was gone. I have just started to feel normal. I stopped asking myself where was the nearest toilet. '

Hospitals in Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds and London participate in the TRITON study.

• You can find out if you are eligible for the address ctru.leeds.ac.uk/triton.