Not Yet RecruitingEarly Phase 1

Pilot Trial of Xylitol for C. Difficile De-Colonization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

United States69 participantsStarted 2026-09-01

Plain-language summary

This 3+3 dose escalation pilot trial will assess the safety and efficacy of xylitol as an oral therapeutic for decolonization of C. difficile in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patient population.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Signed informed consent.
. Male or female ≥ 18 years of age
. IBD diagnosis (CD, UC or indeterminant Colitis will be permitted)
. Inactive or mild IBD (HBI score ≤ 4; Partial Mayo score ≤ 4)
. Presenting for outpatient colonoscopy or clinic appointment

Exclusion criteria

. Unable to provide consent.
. Patients with previous colectomy, ostomy, J-pouch, or previous colon surgery (excluding appendectomy)
. Unable to complete study procedures.
. Chronic use of antibiotics.
. Inability or unwillingness to swallow capsules.
. Allergy to xylitol.
. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Safety and Efficacy of Xylitol

Timeframe: 8 weeks

C. Diff Decolonization

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06799039

SponsorBrigham and Women's Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2030-09-01

Contact for this trial

Heidy Cabral

617-525-7322 hjcabral@bwh.harvard.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) trials