University of Minnesota
Immune-related colitis from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is a common adverse effect causing significant morbidity and impairment of quality of life (QoL). Steroids are the first line of treatment for severe ICI induced Immune- mediated diarrhea and colitis (IMDC). If there is no improvement in 48 to 72 hours, other immunosuppressive agents (infliximab, vedolizumab) are recommended. However, efficacy data supporting the use of immunosuppressives for steroid refractory IMDC is limited by case reports/series. Clinical trials focusing on steroid-refractory colitis are sparse. Novel treatments for IMDC outside of blanket immunosuppression are needed. There is robust evidence to suggest that gut microbial diversity and composition is associated with both ICI efficacy and toxicity. Preliminary studies have shown that pathophysiology of immune mediated colitis may be related to loss of gut microbial diversity. Recently, multiple case series have shown the utility of fecal microbiota transplant for treatment of refractory IMDC providing the proof of concept. This is a pilot randomized placebo controlled study to assess the safety and feasibility of oral restorative microbiota therapy (RMT) in patients with steroid- refractory IMDC.
Inclusion Criteria: * Localized, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors who have received at least two doses of ICI (PD-1/PD-L1 with or without CTLA-4 inhibitor). * ICI used as a single agent, or combination or ICI in combination with other cytotoxic chemotherapy or targeted therapy for curative or palliative intent treatment. * Last ICI treatment with in 6 weeks of onset of IMDC symptoms * Meet one of the criteria for steroid refractory IMDC defined as: 1. Persistent symptoms (NCI CTCAE v 5.0 Grade ≥ 2 diarrhea) following high-dose corticosteroid therapy (≥1 mg/kg/day prednisone or e…
A single loading dose of RMT capsules containing \~5 x 10 11 bacteria on day 1 followed by 2 x 10 11 bacteria daily for 6 days. The RMT capsule preparation (\~2-5 capsules, size 00) is self-administered on an empty stomach with at least one glass of water. Clear liquids are allowed, and food can be resumed 2 hours after administration.
Participants will receive an identical looking placebo capsules daily for 7 days (i.e 5 placebo capsules on day 1), followed by 2 placebo capsules daily from Day 2-7. The placebo capsule preparation is self-administered on an empty stomach with at least one glass of water. Clear liquids are allowed, and food can be resumed 2 hours after administration.