Using fecal microbiota transplantation to prevent acute graft versus host disease in transplant patients

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation to Prevent Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

PHASE2 · Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NCT06026371

This study is testing if giving fecal microbiota capsules can help prevent severe graft versus host disease in adults who are getting a stem cell transplant.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment138 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFred Hutchinson Cancer Center (other)
Drugs / interventionsmethotrexate, cyclophosphamide, chemotherapy
Locations1 site (Seattle, Washington)
Trial IDNCT06026371 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II trial investigates the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in preventing severe acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) in adults undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Participants will receive either fecal microbiota capsules or a placebo orally for seven days after their neutrophil engraftment and cessation of antibiotics. The study aims to restore a healthy gut microbiota, which is often disrupted during HCT due to various treatments. Patients will be monitored monthly for up to 12 months post-transplant to assess outcomes related to GVHD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation or those with contraindications to fecal microbiota transplantation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of acute graft versus host disease in transplant patients, improving their overall outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While fecal microbiota transplantation has shown promise in other contexts, this specific application for preventing acute graft versus host disease is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \>= 18
* Signed informed consent
* Able to take oral medications
* Planned T-replete allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for any indication. History of prior transplantation is allowed
* Planned GVHD prophylaxis using one of the following regimens:

  * Calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporine) plus methotrexate
  * Calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporine) plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
  * Sirolimus plus cyclosporine plus MMF
  * Post-transplant cyclophosphamide plus calcineurin inhibitor (with or without MMF or sirolimus)
* One of the following HCT donor types:

  * Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor
  * 9/10 or 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donor
  * HLA- haploidentical donor
  * Cord blood
* Willing to use at least 1 accepted method of contraception until day 180 after transplant and agree to not donate eggs/sperm for 180 days after
* Not pregnant or breast feeding
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery to \> 0.5 x 10\^9/L from nadir, without ongoing growth factor support
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: Discontinuation of all antibacterial antibiotics (except those used for Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis) for 2 days
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: Resolution of all acute toxicities (other than anemia and thrombocytopenia) to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 2 or lower
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: Ability to swallow capsules
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: No grade II-IV acute GVHD
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: No moderate to severe chronic GVHD
* ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION: No concurrent antibiotics to treat infections. Prophylactic antiviral and antifungal antibiotics used to prevent infections are allowed

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe food allergy in the form of anaphylaxis or attributable symptoms requiring hospitalization
* History of chronic aspiration or conditions predisposing to aspiration (e.g. neuromuscular disorders)
* Receiving or planned to receive other experimental agents (including ex vivo T-cell depletion) to prevent GVHD. The use of other experimental agents is prohibited unless approved by the principal investigator (PI) of the other trial

Where this trial is running

Seattle, Washington

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Acute Graft Versus Host Disease, Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.