Using Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Fiber to Treat Graft-versus-host Disease After Stem Cell Transplants
Official title: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Fiber for the Treatment of Graft-versus-host Disease After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11137074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores how giving patients healthy gut bacteria and fiber might help manage graft-versus-host disease, a common issue after stem cell transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,732,424 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166107-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137074 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this type of research would be patients who have undergone an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and are experiencing graft-versus-host disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation or are not experiencing graft-versus-host disease would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
After a stem cell transplant, many patients experience graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication where the new immune cells attack the patient's body. We know that changes in gut bacteria are linked to GvHD, and earlier observations suggest that replacing gut bacteria through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could be helpful. This project aims to understand how different ways of delivering FMT, like oral capsules, affect the gut bacteria and whether adding dietary fiber can help maintain a healthy gut environment. We also want to learn more about how these changes in gut bacteria might improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new and effective way to treat graft-versus-host disease, improving recovery and quality of life for patients after stem cell transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Observational studies have shown promising results for fecal microbiota transplantation in repopulating gut bacteria in stem cell transplant recipients with GvHD, suggesting this is a promising, though still developing, area.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fredricks, David Neal — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Fredricks, David Neal
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Fecal transplant plus fiber to treat graft-versus-host disease after blood stem cell transplant
A study to see if giving fecal transplant along with dietary fiber helps gut health and reduces complications in patients who have received a stem cell transplant and developed graft-versus-host disease.
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Using fecal microbiota transplantation and fiber to treat graft-versus-host disease after blood cell transplants
This study is looking at how using a special treatment called fecal microbiota transplantation, along with dietary fiber, can help improve gut health and recovery for patients dealing with graft-versus-host disease after a stem cell transplant.
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Proteolytic Activity-Guided Fecal Microbiota Transplant for PI-IBS
A pilot study will test a targeted fecal microbiota transplant to help adults with post-infection irritable bowel syndrome feel better and have fewer GI symptoms.
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Fecal microbiota transplantation plus immune checkpoint blockers for solid tumors
This project looks at whether changing gut bacteria with fecal transplants can boost how well cancer treatments called immune checkpoint blockers work in people with solid tumors.
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Fecal transplant treatment for auto-brewery (gut fermentation) syndrome
This project gives capsule fecal microbiota transplants to adults with auto-brewery syndrome to try to stop their gut from producing alcohol and causing unexplained intoxication.
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A new way to use gut bacteria transplants for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This research explores if a special type of fecal microbiota transplant, guided by specific gut enzyme activity, can safely and effectively improve symptoms for adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome that developed after an infection.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.