Plasma GLP-2 Dynamics and Acute Radiation Enteritis After Abdominopelvic Radiotherapy

Overview

This prospective observational study will enroll 50 adults who are scheduled to receive radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis. The study will not assign any additional treatment or change routine clinical care. Residual blood samples from routine clinical testing will be collected before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, and one month after radiotherapy to measure plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2). Participants will be followed for gastrointestinal symptoms and the occurrence and severity of acute radiation enteritis. Researchers will compare GLP-2 levels and changes between participants who develop acute radiation enteritis and those who do not. The study will also examine the associations of GLP-2 with markers of intestinal barrier injury and inflammation, radiotherapy dose parameters, nutritional status, and quality of life. The aim is to explore whether plasma GLP-2 may help assess the risk and severity of acute radiation enteritis.

This is a single-center, prospective observational cohort study involving approximately 50 adults receiving abdominopelvic radiotherapy. Participants will receive radiotherapy and other supportive treatment according to routine clinical practice. The study will not alter the participants' prescribed treatment or assign any study-specific therapeutic intervention. Residual blood samples from routine clinical testing will be collected at three time points: before radiotherapy, at the completion of radiotherapy, and one month after radiotherapy. The primary outcome is the plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) level and its change over time. Additional assessments will include diamine oxidase, D-lactate, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-1 beta. Citrulline, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, and metabolomic analyses may also be performed when feasible. Clinical information will include demographic characteristics, cancer and treatment characteristics, gastrointestinal symptoms, radiotherapy dose parameters, nutritional status, laboratory findings, and quality-of-life assessments. After follow-up, participants will be classified according to whether acute radiation enteritis occurred. GLP-2 levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between participants with and without acute radiation enteritis. Associations between GLP-2 and intestinal injury markers, inflammatory factors, symptom severity, radiotherapy dose parameters, nutritional status, and quality of life will also be evaluated.