Fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with axial spondyloarthritis not responding to standard treatments

RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLIND CONTROLLED STUDY ASSESSING THE EFFICACY OF FECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANTATION IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS RESISTANT TO CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT05654753

This study is testing if a treatment using fecal microbiota transplantation can help people with axial spondyloarthritis who haven't found relief from standard medications.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsprednisone
Locations1 site (Boulogne-Billancourt)
Trial IDNCT05654753 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) who have not responded adequately to conventional treatments. The study aims to assess the feasibility of FMT, its ability to restore a healthy microbiome, and its potential impact on disease activity in these patients. It is a randomized, double-blind trial that will compare the effects of active FMT against a placebo. The trial is designed to provide foundational data for larger-scale studies if successful.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with active axial spondyloarthritis who have not responded to multiple conventional treatments.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis or those who are not experiencing active disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a new therapeutic option for patients with axial spondyloarthritis who are resistant to existing therapies.

How similar studies have performed: While fecal microbiota transplantation has shown promise in other conditions, this specific application for axial spondyloarthritis is novel and has not been previously studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patient (age 18 to 75 years old) with SpA, meeting the ASAS classification criteria for axial SpA, with presence of radiographic sacro-illitis (ankylosing spondylitis) or not.
* Patient suffering of active SpA, with or without treatment, having a BASDAI score ≥ 4 (0-10) at baseline and a score of back pain ≥ 4 (0-10) despite optimal drug management for at least 6 months including at least 2 different NSAIDs at the maximum tolerated dose for at least 2 months (or less in case of intolerance or contra-indication) and at least a first line of biotherapy (anti-TNFα or anti-IL-17) for at least 4 months (or less in case of intolerance or contra-indication).
* Subjects are allowed to continue NSAID, sulfasalazin (≤ 3 g/day) and/or methotrextae ( ≤ 25 mg/week) and/or hydroxychloroquine (≤ 400 mg/day) and/or oral corticosteroid (≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone), as long as these treatments have remained at stable dose for 4 weeks prior to baseline.
* Subjects are allowed to continue anti-TNFα, anti-IL-17 or JAKinhibitor therapies, as long as these treatments have remained at stable dose for 3 months prior to baseline.
* Women of childbearing potential with efficient contraceptive protection at the inclusion and during at least the interventional phase (D168).
* Patient with health insurance (AME except).
* Patient is willing to provide written informed consent prior to enrolment and agrees to follow the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient under legal protection (guardianship or curatorship)
2. Subject who, in the judgment of the Investigator, is likely to be non-compliant or uncooperative during the study, or unable to cooperate because of a language problem, poor mental development
3. Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
4. Patient with IBD in active state, according to the judgment of the Investigator
5. Corticosteroid injection within 4 weeks before inclusion
6. Active infection according to the judgment of the Investigator
7. Any antibiotic (including Sulfasalazin) or antifungal treatment within 4 weeks before inclusion
8. Probiotics intake within 4 weeks before inclusion
9. Known infection with Clostridoides difficile or Escherichia coli within 10 days before inclusion
10. Patients with unstable severe condition other than axial SpA on that could jeopardize treatment procedure or evaluation according to the investigator's assessment
11. Previous FMT treatment
12. Contra-indication to colon preparation (Moviprep® or Moviprep orange®) according to SmPC
13. Current or past evidence of bowel obstruction
14. Confirmed or suspected intestinal ischemia
15. Confirmed or suspected toxic megacolon or gastrointestinal perforation
16. Extended colectomy (\> two-thirds of colon)
17. Any gastro-intestinal bleeding in the past 3 months before inclusion
18. Any history of gastro-intestinal surgery in the past 3 months before inclusion
19. Severe organ dysfunction
20. Any contra-indication to swallow capsules
21. Known allergy or intolerance to IMP and / or excipients according to Investigator's Brochure
22. Lack of access to a refrigerator to store the medication (MaaT033® or MaaT030®)
23. Concomitant participation in another interventional clinical trial

Where this trial is running

Boulogne-Billancourt

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Axial Spondyloarthritisdysbiotic microbiotaFecal microbiota transplantationeubiotic microbiota
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.