Randomized Double-Blind Phase II Trial of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Versus Placebo in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and AML

Armin Rashidi, Maryam Ebadi, Tauseef Ur Rehman, Heba Elhusseini, David Kazadi, Hossam Halaweish, Mohammad H. Khan, Andrea Hoeschen, Qing Cao, Xianghua Luo, Amanda J. Kabage, Sharon Lopez, Shernan G. Holtan, Daniel J. Weisdorf, Alexander Khoruts, Christopher Staley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSEGut microbiota injury in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients and patients with AML has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Previous studies in these patients have shown improvements in various microbiome indices after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). However, whether microbiome improvements translate into improved clinical outcomes remains unclear. We examined this question in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial.METHODSTwo independent cohorts of allogeneic HCT recipients and patients with AML receiving induction chemotherapy were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive standardized oral encapsulated FMT versus placebo upon neutrophil recovery. After each course of antibacterial antibiotics, patients received a study treatment. Up to three treatments were administered within 3 months. The primary end point was 4-month all-cause infection rate. Patients were followed for 9 months.RESULTSIn the HCT cohort (74 patients), 4-month infection density was 0.74 and 0.91 events per 100 patient-days in FMT and placebo arms, respectively (infection rate ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.42; P =.49). In the AML cohort (26 patients), 4-month infection density was 0.93 in the FMT arm and 1.25 in the placebo arm, with an infection rate ratio of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.32 to 1.71; P =.48). Unique donor bacterial sequences comprised 25%-30% of the fecal microbiota after FMT. FMT improved postantibiotic recovery of microbiota diversity, restored several depleted obligate anaerobic commensals, and reduced the abundance of expanded genera Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Dialister.CONCLUSIONIn allogeneic HCT recipients and patients with AML, third-party FMT was safe and ameliorated intestinal dysbiosis, but did not decrease infections. Novel findings from this trial will inform future development of FMT trials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5306-5319
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume41
Issue number34
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© American Society of Clinical Oncology.

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Journal Article

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