Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 and up

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.

More Colitis trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment800 (estimated)
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsinfliximab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, radiation, prednisone
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 21, 2021
Main results expectedOctober 31, 2026
Study endsOctober 31, 2026
Registry record updatedJuly 15, 2026
Trial IDNCT03819296 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

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.