Gut bacteria transplant may supercharge liver cancer immunotherapy
NCT ID NCT07690683
First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This trial investigates whether transplanting healthy gut bacteria (fecal microbiota transplantation) can help immunotherapy work better in people with advanced liver cancer. Participants receive either a real transplant via colonoscopy or a sham procedure, alongside standard immunotherapy. The study aims to see if this approach can delay cancer progression.
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)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could improve how well immunotherapy fights liver cancer, potentially slowing disease progression.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, small study. FMT may not boost immunotherapy, and there are risks from the procedure and unknown effects on the gut.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 52 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Sep 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>18 years; * Diagnosis of advanced or unresectable HCC; * Patients undergoing standard therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); * Signed informed consent for study participation. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of chronic intestinal diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease); * Recent use of systemic antibiotics (within the previous 4-6 weeks); * Child-Pugh class \> B8, ECOG performance status \>1; * Any contraindication to colonoscopy.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Hepatocellular cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Fondazione Policlinico Universitaro A. Gemelli IRCSS,UOC Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia,Largo A. Gemelli,
Roma, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Sparing the liver: targeted chemoembolization meets lenvatinib in liver cancer
- AI-Enhanced ultrasound aims to catch liver cancer earlier
- Can turbocharged immune cells stop liver cancer from coming back?
- Device aims to keep donor livers healthier for transplant
- Two blood markers put to the test for early liver cancer detection
- New antibody pair takes aim at advanced liver cancer in major trial