Gut bacteria test to predict response to biologic treatment in spondyloarthritis

MEDIBIOTE 3: Analysis of Intestinal Microbiota as a Predictor of Response to Treatment of Spondyloarthritis With Biotherapy

Not applicable Interventional Hôpital Européen Marseille · NCT04899154

This project will test whether gut bacteria in stool samples can predict if anti-TNF or anti-IL-17 biologic treatment will work for adults with spondyloarthritis.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHôpital Européen Marseille Academic / other
Locations1 site (Marseille)
Trial IDNCT04899154 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center prospective study will collect baseline stool samples from adults with spondyloarthritis who are starting anti-TNFα or anti-IL-17 biologic therapy and from healthy control volunteers. Microbiota composition will be analyzed and compared with clinical response after treatment initiation to see if specific bacterial patterns predict who responds. Eligible patients must be biologic‑naïve and must not have used antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics in the month before sampling to avoid confounding. The study is conducted at Hôpital Européen in Marseille with scheduled clinical follow-up to determine treatment response.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with spondyloarthritis who are biologic‑naïve and about to start anti‑TNFα or anti‑IL‑17 therapy, able to give informed consent and without recent antibiotic or probiotic use, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients already treated with biologics, those who recently used antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics, and people with other chronic diseases may not be eligible or may not benefit from the predictive microbiota findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help doctors choose the biologic most likely to work for a patient, reducing ineffective treatments and speeding clinical improvement.

How similar studies have performed: Several prior studies have reported microbiota differences in spondyloarthritis and a small uncontrolled study suggested gut profiles might predict anti‑TNF response, but prospective confirmation is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

For patient with spondyloarthritis:

* Diagnosed for spondyloarthritis or pure axial or axial type psoriatic rheumatism according to Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria.
* Requiring treatment with anti-TNFα or anti- IL-17 according to the treatment recommendations of the French Society of Rheumatology (SFR)
* patient not previously treated with biotherapy
* Aged ≥ 18 years
* Having given free and informed written consent
* Being affiliated to the center national security system social

For control Subject:

* Healthy volunteers without diagnosis of spondyloarthritis or any other chronic disease.
* Aged ≥ 18 years
* Having given free and informed written consent
* Being affiliated with or benefiting from a social security scheme.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Persons treated with antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics or any other treatment that may disrupt the gut microbiota within one month before stool sampling.
* Association with another chronic pathology

Where this trial is running

Marseille

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 Spondyloarthritis
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.