Poop pills plus immunotherapy: new hope for colorectal cancer patients?
NCT ID NCT04729322
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot trial tests whether giving fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) along with re-introducing anti-PD-1 immunotherapy (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) can help control metastatic colorectal cancer in patients who previously did not respond to immunotherapy alone. The study enrolls 15 adults with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors. Participants receive antibiotics, then FMT via colonoscopy or capsules, followed by immunotherapy. The goal is to see if changing the gut bacteria can make the cancer respond to treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) plus pembrolizumab or nivolumab
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could help some colorectal cancer patients who didn't respond to immunotherapy alone to control their disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 15 participants, so results may not apply broadly. FMT carries risks of infection or side effects, and the combination may still not work.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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- Can a Drug-Radiation combo outsmart Treatment-Resistant colorectal cancer?