This clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of adding fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to first-line standard of care for patients with initially unresectable colorectal cancer (CRC). FMT is an established procedure designed to restore intestinal microbiome homeostasis by transferring processed fecal microbiota from a rigorously screened healthy donor into the patient's gastrointestinal tract. The standard first-line treatment regimen typically consists of chemotherapy, with or without targeted therapy. Approximately 220 patients across 13 participating centers will be randomly assigned to receive either standard therapy alone or standard therapy combined with FMT. The primary endpoint is the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints include the conversion to resectability rate, progression-free survival (PFS), safety and adverse events, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression scales, as well as dynamic changes in the gut microbiome and circulating biomarkers. The ultimate goal of this trial is to determine whether microbiome modulation via FMT can synergistically enhance the antitumor efficacy of standard first-line therapies and mitigate treatment-related toxicities in this patient population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
220
Investigator's choice of standard first-line systemic therapy for initially unresectable colorectal cancer, including chemotherapy (e.g., FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, CAPOX) with or without targeted therapy or anti-angiogenic agents (e.g., cetuximab, panitumumab for RAS wild-type; bevacizumab for others), according to CSCO/NCCN guidelines and RAS mutation status.
Fecal microbiota transplantation using donor stool from healthy screened donors. Prepared under P2/GMP conditions as capsules or suspension. Administered in addition to standard therapy per study protocol (induction phase followed by maintenance).
Objective Response Rate
Time frame: Up to 12 months (from randomization to best overall response assessment)
Conversion Resection Rate (R0)
Proportion of participants who achieve R0 resection (microscopically negative margins) after conversion therapy, confirmed by pathology. Assessed by multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
Time from randomization to first documented disease progression (per RECIST 1.1 by BICR) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Disease Control Rate
Percentage of participants achieving CR, PR, or stable disease (SD) as best overall response per RECIST 1.1 (BICR).
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Incidence and Severity of Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
Incidence and severity of all AEs and SAEs graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0. Includes FMT-related infections and gastrointestinal events.
Time frame: From first dose through 30 days after last dose (up to 12 months)
Relative Dose Intensity (RDI) of Standard Therapy
Proportion of planned dose of standard first-line therapy actually delivered (calculated as actual dose / planned dose × 100). Compares treatment compliance between arms.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Change from baseline in anxiety and depression scores assessed by HADS questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline, every 8 weeks during treatment, and end of treatment (up to 12 months)
Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) - EORTC QLQ-C30
Change from baseline in global health status, functional scales, and symptom scales (fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, etc.) assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline, every 8 weeks during treatment, and end of treatment (up to 12 months)
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