Fecal Transplants in Pill Form Show Promise in Boosting Cancer Treatment
Table of Contents
A novel approach to cancer therapy, utilizing gut bacteria from healthy donors delivered in pill form, is demonstrating encouraging early results in trials involving patients with kidney cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
The future of cancer treatment may be found in an unexpected source: the human gut. Two recently published clinical trials, conducted in Canada and detailed Wednesday in Nature Medicine, suggest that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) – administered conveniently in capsule form – could significantly enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies and mitigate debilitating side effects.
Rebuilding the Gut Microbiome for Cancer Support
The gut microbiome, the complex community of bacteria residing in the digestive tract, plays a crucial role in overall health. Disruptions in this delicate ecosystem have been linked to a variety of conditions, and researchers are increasingly recognizing its influence on the immune system and response to cancer treatments. FMT aims to restore a healthy microbiome by introducing gut bacteria from a healthy donor into a recipient’s system.
While FMT has proven highly effective in treating recurrent C. difficile infections, expanding its applications has been challenging. Historically, the procedure required administration via enemas or colonoscopies, presenting logistical and patient comfort hurdles. However, scientists at the Lawson Research Institute, affiliated with St. Joseph’s Health Care London in Ontario, have pioneered the development of oral FMT pills, a breakthrough utilized in both recent trials.
Promising Results in Kidney Cancer and Advanced Melanoma/Lung Cancer
In a Phase I trial, researchers administered the FMT pills to 20 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who were already undergoing immunotherapy – a treatment designed to bolster the body’s natural defenses against cancer. Participants reported a notable reduction in immunotherapy-related side effects, including hives, nausea, and diarrhea, compared to standard treatment protocols. Furthermore, approximately 50% of patients exhibited a positive response to the treatment, a higher rate than typically observed with this type of medication, though the study’s primary focus wasn’t evaluating effectiveness.
A separate Phase II study, conducted at the University of Montreal Hospital Center research center, focused on patients with advanced lung cancer or melanoma also receiving immunotherapy. The results were even more striking, with a response rate of 75% to 80%, significantly exceeding the typical 39% response rate.
Cautious Optimism and Future Research
Despite these encouraging findings, researchers emphasize the need for caution. The trials involved relatively small patient groups, and larger, more comprehensive studies are essential to confirm these initial results. However, the data strongly supports further investigation into FMT as a valuable adjunct to cancer treatment. Several such studies are already underway.
“Using FMT to reduce drug toxicity and improve a patient’s quality of life while improving their clinical response to cancer treatment is something very important that has never been done before for the treatment of kidney cancer,” stated a lead researcher from St. Joseph’s Health Care London in Ontario. While the concept of receiving bacteria from a donor may seem unappealing to some, it could offer a lifeline to patients who are not responding to conventional therapies.
The potential of harnessing the power of the gut microbiome to fight cancer is a rapidly evolving field, and these early trials represent a significant step forward in exploring this innovative approach.
This article was translated from Gizmodo US by Lucas Handley. Here you can find the original version.
