Fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease of the gut

K Kakihana, Y Fujioka, W Suda… - Blood, The Journal …, 2016 - ashpublications.org
K Kakihana, Y Fujioka, W Suda, Y Najima, G Kuwata, S Sasajima, I Mimura, H Morita…
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2016ashpublications.org
Increasing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota is closely associated with acute graft-
versus-host disease (aGVHD) in stem cell transplantation (SCT). Fecal microbiota
transplantation (FMT) could represent an alternative treatment option for aGVHD. However,
FMT for SCT patients carries a potential risk of infection by infused microbiota because of the
severely immunosuppressed status. We therefore conducted a pilot study to evaluate the
safety of FMT in SCT. A total of 4 patients with steroid-resistant (n= 3) or steroid-dependent …
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota is closely associated with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in stem cell transplantation (SCT). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could represent an alternative treatment option for aGVHD. However, FMT for SCT patients carries a potential risk of infection by infused microbiota because of the severely immunosuppressed status. We therefore conducted a pilot study to evaluate the safety of FMT in SCT. A total of 4 patients with steroid-resistant (n = 3) or steroid-dependent gut aGVHD (n = 1) received FMT. No severe adverse events attributed to FMT were observed. All patients responded to FMT, with 3 complete responses and 1 partial response. Temporal dynamics of microbiota seemed to be linked to the gut condition of patients and peripheral effector regulatory T cells also increased during response to FMT. FMT was safely performed in our patients and might offer a novel therapeutic option for aGVHD. This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000017575) as #UMIN000015115.
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