Exploring gut microbiome and fecal transplant effects on GI issues in cancer patients
Official title: Role of Microbiome in the Realm of Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor Induced GI Complications In Cancer Population
Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT03819296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how the gut bacteria affect stomach issues in cancer patients receiving certain treatments and whether a stool transplant can help relieve those problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 800 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | infliximab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, radiation, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 21, 2021 |
| Main results expected | October 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | October 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03819296 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include patients diagnosed with any stage melanoma or genitourinary cancer who are experiencing ICPI-related gastrointestinal issues.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with cancers not treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors or those without gastrointestinal complications may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This trial investigates how the gut microbiome influences gastrointestinal complications caused by immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI) treatments in patients with melanoma and genitourinary cancers. It aims to compare microbiome patterns between patients who develop colitis and those who do not, as well as assess the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for alleviating these symptoms. The study will also analyze immune profiles and genetic factors related to colitis onset and response to treatment, utilizing stool, blood, and tissue samples for comprehensive evaluation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved management of GI complications in cancer patients undergoing ICPI treatment.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of the gut microbiome in cancer treatment is being explored, this specific approach combining fecal transplantation with ICPI-related complications is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Diagnosis of any stage melanoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer or genitourinary (GU) malignancies (Project 1).
2. Diagnosis of any cancer type (Projects 2 and 3)
3. Treatment with any ICPI agent
4. Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent form and rate surveys
5. Life expectancy \> 4 months (Project 3)
6. ICPI-related diarrhea and/or colitis of any grade with or without concurrent non- GI toxicity as the toxicity group (project 1)
7. Patients with no organ toxicity as the control group (project 1)
8. ICPI-related colitis and/or diarrhea of grade ≥ 2 as GI toxicity (initial episode or recurrence) receiving standard treatment of immunosuppressive agents (steroid, infliximab, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab) any time during the colitis disease course until sustained resolution of GI toxicity, or one- year time point after enrollment (Project 2)
9. ICPI-related colitis and/or diarrhea of grade ≥ 2 as GI toxicity without involvement of non- GI toxicity within 45 days prior to FMT (Project 3)
10. ICPI-related colitis and/or diarrhea of grade ≥ 2 within 45 days prior to FMT with ANY of the following characteristics (project 3):
(i) refractory to treatment of steroid and two doses of non-steroidal immunosuppressants e.g. infliximab, vedolizumab or ustekinumab,
(ii) contraindication for immunosuppressive treatment,
(iii) recurrence after successful initial treatment,
(iv) recurrent symptoms once steroid is tapered down/off or diarrhea/colitis symptoms are steroid dependent, or
(v) patients with a history of refractory ICPI-related colitis and/or diarrhea to medical treatment, even if they have improved symptoms from supportive care within 45 days prior to FMT
11. No concern for active concomitant GI infection for the ICPI diarrhea/colitis work up at the time of protocol therapy initiation as confirmed by stool tests or as per the treating physician based on clinical presentation (project 3)
12. Patient who has been cleared for enrollment by Infectious Diseases consultant or treating physician if positive infection workup or screening tests (e.g. lifelong positive T-spot due to BCG inoculation, chronic colonization) prior to initiation of diarrhea/colitis treatment (project 3)
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Age younger than 18 years
2. History of inflammatory bowel disease, and/or radiation enteritis or colitis with active disease status at the time of study treatment initiation
3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women
4. Women of child-bearing potential who have positive urine or serum pregnancy test or refuse to do pregnancy test unless last menstrual cycle was \> 1 year prior to consent and/ or clear documentation states that patient is peri- or post-menopausal or there was recent supporting objective evidence of 'no pregnancy' status (e.g. blood or imaging) within 30 days prior to date of study treatment
5. Patients who develop concurrent non- GI toxicity at the time of FMT treatment (project 3)
6. Patients with active bacterial or fungal infection (Project 3)
7. Donors at risk for monkeypox infection and/ or exposure as determined by a questionnaire (Project 3)
Withdrawal Criteria
1. Patients may withdraw from the trial at any time
2. Patients who develop GI perforation or toxic colitis that require surgery from ICPI colitis
3. In project 3, if the first 30% of cases fail the fecal transplant treatment, then project 3 will be terminated
Where it's running
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yinghong Wang — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Krishna Rajalu, MD
- Email: kvaratharajalu@mdanderson.org
- Phone: 713-563-6086
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Yoga intervention to improve physical performance and quality of life for cancer patients and their caregivers
This study tests whether a yoga program can help improve physical performance and quality of life for cancer patients and their caregivers during radiotherapy.
-
Using canakinumab to prevent lung cancer in high-risk patients
This study is testing if a medication called canakinumab can help prevent lung cancer in people who have high-risk lung nodules.
-
Respiratory muscle training before lung cancer surgery
This study is testing if breathing exercises can help lung cancer patients recover better and avoid complications after surgery.
-
Improving decision-making for early-stage lung cancer patients
This study is testing whether giving early-stage lung cancer patients a quality of life fact sheet during their treatment decision-making helps them feel better about their choices compared to usual care.
-
Personalized vaccine combined with pembrolizumab for advanced solid tumors
This study is testing a new personalized cancer vaccine combined with pembrolizumab to see if it helps people with advanced solid tumors fight their cancer better.
-
Treatment of advanced solid tumors with IACS-6274 and other medications
This study is testing a new drug called IACS-6274, alone and with other medications, to see how well it can help people with advanced solid tumors and what the safest dose is.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.