Poop pills may prevent dangerous side effects of cancer immunotherapy

NCT ID NCT04163289

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether taking capsules containing processed stool from healthy donors can prevent severe immune-related side effects in people with advanced kidney cancer receiving a combination of two immunotherapy drugs (ipilimumab and nivolumab). The study involves 20 participants who will take the fecal transplant capsules before and during their first two cycles of immunotherapy. The main goal is to see if this approach is safe and reduces the occurrence of serious colitis and other immune-related adverse events, helping patients stay on 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 transplantation (FMT) capsules from healthy donors

What this could lead to

If it works, this approach could help patients tolerate powerful immunotherapy combinations better, allowing them to continue treatment and potentially improve outcomes.

What could go wrong

This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The safety and effectiveness of FMT for this purpose are still unknown.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

renal cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • London Regional Cancer Program of the Lawson Health Research Institute

    London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada