Poop pills could supercharge cancer immunotherapy

NCT ID NCT04758507

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tested whether transplanting gut bacteria from people who responded well to immunotherapy could help others with advanced kidney cancer respond better. Fifty participants received either a fecal transplant or a placebo. The goal was to see if the transplant could slow tumor growth and improve treatment outcomes.

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) from donors responding to immunotherapy
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy for advanced kidney cancer by changing the gut bacteria.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. FMT carries risks of infection or side effects, and the benefit is unproven.

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.

renal cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Digestive Disease Center

Rome, Rome, 00168, Italy
Gianluca Ianiro

Rome, Rome, 00168, Italy

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