This is a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to assess the effects of daily 4-gram marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (MO3PUFA), through treatment with AMR101 (VASCEPA, icosapent ethyl) on the tumor immune microenvironment and gut microbiome in patients who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer or with a colorectal mass or polyp suspected to be a cancer or advanced adenoma and will undergo surgical resection or interventional endoscopy at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). It uses the novel "window-of-opportunity" clinical trial design to take advantage of the window of time between cancer/mass/polyp diagnosis and surgery to examine the effect of therapeutic agents on tumor pathologic and molecular features unperturbed by prior therapies.
This research study is evaluating the effect of AMR101, as a chemopreventive agent to reduce risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with a history of colorectal cancer, colorectal mass or polyp(s). AMR101 is made of marine omega-3 fatty acid, which is a family of natural substances found in the oil of certain fish, such as salmon and mackerel. Marine omega-3 fatty acid cannot be produced in sufficient amount by the human body and has to be obtained through diet or supplemented to maintain normal function in the body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved AMR101 as a treatment for any disease. AMR101 is commercially available in the US as VASCEPA (icosapent ethyl). The research study procedures include screening for eligibility and study treatment including evaluations and follow up visits during which participants will complete a lifestyle questionnaire and a nutritional survey. A drug diary will be provided to be completed. Measurements will be taken, and blood and stool specimens will be collected. Tumor, colorectal mass, or polyp tissue will be collected for research purposes at the time of surgery or interventional endoscopy. AMR101 administered daily, orally for up to 30 days and it is expected that 36 participants will take part in this study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Oral administration, 4 grams per day
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
The change in the marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (MO3PUFA) composition in colorectal tissues as a result of the AMR101 treatment for up to 30 days.
The effect of daily 4-gram AMR101 treatment on MO3PUFA composition in colorectal tissue will be measured through the extraction of fatty acid with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from the biopsy tissue.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in Tumor CD8+ T cells in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The influence of MO3PUFA treatment on the balance of Teff and Treg cells will be measured by the ratio of CD8+/Treg in the tumor microenvironment.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in gene expression profile of colorectal tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
RNA-seq analysis to profile gene expression in the mucosal tissue collected before and after AMR101 treatment will be performed to examine whether the AMR101 treatment reduces the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines (e.g., TNFα, IL6 and CCL2), and immunosuppressive factors.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of FOXP3 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell inhibitory markers will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of IL10 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell inhibitory markers will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
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The change in protein levels of LAG-3 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell inhibitory markers will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of CD49b in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell inhibitory markers will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of CTLA-4 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell immune checkpoints will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of TIGIT in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell immune checkpoints will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of TIM-3 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell immune checkpoints will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of PD-1 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell immune checkpoints will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in protein levels of PD-L1 in the tumor tissue between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period.
The changes in protein levels of T cell immune checkpoints will be measured before and after intervention.
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion
The change in the gut microbiome composition and function between pre- and post- AMR101 treatment period
Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA on pre- and post-treatment stool samples will be performed to examine the biomolecular mechanisms by which gut microbial activity may be altered or respond to AMR101 treatment
Time frame: An average of 2 years after study completion