Gut bacteria and their association with chemotherapy response in early breast cancer patients
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN13877559 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13877559 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 293817 |
| Protocol serial number | NEOMICROBE_2021, IRAS 293817 |
| Sponsor | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde |
| Funders | Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, University of Glasgow, Beatson Cancer Charity |
- Submission date
- 27/05/2021
- Registration date
- 06/07/2021
- Last edited
- 24/04/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Cancer
Plain English summary of protocol
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/a-study-looking-at-how-the-microbiome-affects-breast-cancer-treatment-neo-microbe-breast-study
Background and study aims
The way breast cancer responds to chemotherapy is not always the same between patients. Within our gut, there are lots of bacteria that play important roles in keeping us healthy. We believe that these bacteria may also determine which patients achieve the best response to chemotherapy. We know that diet and other interventions can change the bacteria. In this research, we hope to identify certain patterns in the bacteria that link with what type of response a patient has to chemotherapy. Overall, we hope to identify specific trends in gut bacteria, which are associated with a better response to chemotherapy. With future research we would then hope to determine how to recreate these favourable gut bacterial trends in patients, to help them achieve the best response to chemotherapy.
To do this we will look at blood, stool and tumour samples from women who are having a course of chemotherapy before surgery for breast cancer. We will look into the role that the immune system, gut products and tissues surrounding cancer may have in working alongside the bacteria. We will try to understand how the bacteria are linked with chemotherapy side effects. We will also collect stool samples from healthy volunteers, who do not have cancer, to compare to samples from the patients with breast cancer.
Who can participate?
Patients diagnosed with early breast cancer, which is “HER2-positive” or “triple-negative” that are planned to have neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy before surgery) at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre or the New Victoria Hospital, Glasgow. All patients will live within approximately 20 miles of Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Female healthy volunteers will also be recruited.
What does the study involve?
The following samples and data will be collected from patients receiving standard of care chemotherapy:
Stool samples are collected at 2 time points: prior to commencing chemotherapy and after completion of chemotherapy.
Research blood samples will be collected at 1 time point, prior to commencing chemotherapy.
Archival Tumour samples will be collected from the patients’ diagnostic core biopsies (standard of care (SOC) NHS sample).
Clinical Data: recording of specific treatment related toxicities (febrile neutropenia and diarrhoea) and specific concomitant medications; will be made at each clinic visit for pre-assessment for chemotherapy (SOC).
Dietary assessment: The patient will complete an EPIC-Norfolk FFQ at 2 time points: prior to commencing chemotherapy and after completion of chemotherapy. This can be completed in the clinic or at home; with the support of a researcher (over the phone or a video-call).
Response Assessment Following surgery, pathology reports will be reviewed and patients will be categorised into whether they achieved a pCR or non-pCR (SOC).
Healthy Volunteers
Stool sample collected once.
What are the possible benefits and Risks of Participating?
There are no direct therapeutic benefits from this study. Participation may help patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the future as we hope to identify particular patterns in the gut bacteria, which could offer potential for future interventional studies.
Where is the study run from?
University of Glasgow (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2021 to September 2025
Who is funding the study?
Chief Scientist Office, the University of Glasgow and the Beatson Cancer Charity (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Kirsty Ross, kirsty.ross.2@glasgow.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
University of Glasgow
Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre
Garscube Estate
Switchback Road
Glasgow
G61 1QH
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-7553-4109 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)7894631669 |
| kirsty.ross.2@glasgow.ac.uk |
Scientific
University of Glasgow
Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre
Garscube Estate
Switchback Road
Glasgow
G61 1QH
United Kingdom
| Phone | 07894631669 |
|---|---|
| kirsty.ross.2@glasgow.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Prospective observational non-interventional study |
| Secondary study design | Cohort study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The NEO-MICROBE BREAST Study: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the gut microbiome in breast cancer |
| Study objectives | The gut microbiome impacts chemotherapy response in early breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological complete response (pCR) following a course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy strongly predicts improved long-term survival in patients with early breast cancer. This study will test the hypothesis that the composition and functional status of the gut microbiome prior to commencing chemotherapy is associated with pCR. In addition, the study will explore putative mechanisms including 1) modulation of the immune microenvironment and 2) alterations in circulating metabolites and cytokines. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 12/07/2021, West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 4 (West of Scotland Research Ethics Service, Ward 11, Dykebar Hospital, Grahamston Road, Paisley, PA2 7DE, UK; +44 (0)141 3140213; WoSREC4@ggc.scot.nhs.uk), ref: 21/WS/0078 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Breast cancer (Triple Negative and HER2+ subtypes) |
| Intervention | Sample Collection & Study-Related Procedures • Stool samples are collected at 2 time points: prior to commencing chemotherapy and after completion of chemotherapy • Research blood samples will be collected at 1 time point, prior to commencing chemotherapy • Archival Tumour samples will be collected from the patients’ diagnostic core biopsies (standard of care (SOC) NHS sample) • Clinical Data: recording of specific treatment related toxicities (febrile neutropenia and diarrhoea) and specific concomitant medications; will be made at each clinic visit for preassessment for chemotherapy (SOC) • Dietary assessment: The patient will complete an EPIC-Norfolk FFQ at 2 time points: prior to commencing chemotherapy and after completion of chemotherapy. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Measured using stool samples collected at 2 time points, at baseline before commencing chemotherapy (T1) and after completion of chemotherapy but before surgery (T2) in patients. Healthy Volunteers will provide a stool sample at a single timepoint. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Exploratory Endpoints will be investigated using the following samples/data from patients: |
| Completion date | 01/09/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 100 |
| Total final enrolment | 100 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Unequivocal evidence of metastatic disease. 2. History of active, uncontrolled gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including: 2.1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (mild-moderate-severe) and Crohn’s disease (mild-moderate-severe) or indeterminate colitis 2.2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (severe or on regular medication) 2.3. Persistent infectious gastroenteritis, colitis or gastritis, persistent or chronic diarrhoea of unknown aetiology or clostridium difficile infection (recurrent) 3. Major gastrointestinal surgery with the exception of appendicectomy and cholecystectomy. Any bowel resection at any time. 4. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids (intravenous or oral) or other immunosuppressive therapy for any other condition (including but not limited to prednisolone, dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, and anti−tumour necrosis factor [TNF] agents) within 28 days prior to Cycle 1 of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The use of inhaled corticosteroids is allowed, as well as the use of mineralocorticoids (e.g. fludrocortisones) and low-dose supplemental corticosteroids for adrenocortical insufficiency and for orthostatic hypotension. 5. Confirmed or suspected state of immunodeficiency (primary or acquired) including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection 6. Recent COVID-19 infection (≤ 28 days) or close contact with someone known to test positive (≤ 14 days). 7. Pregnant and/or breastfeeding individuals 8. Other severe or uncontrolled systemic disease or evidence of any other significant disorder or lab finding that makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. History of active, uncontrolled gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including: 1.1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (mild-moderate-severe) and Crohn’s disease (mild-moderate-severe) or indeterminate colitis 1.2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (severe or on regular medication) 1.3. Persistent infectious gastroenteritis, colitis or gastritis, persistent or chronic diarrhoea of unknown aetiology, clostridium difficile infection (recurrent) or helicobacter pylori infection (untreated) 2. Major GI surgery with the exception of appendicectomy and cholecystectomy. Any bowel resection at any time. 3. History of breast malignancy at any time or non-breast malignancy, requiring systemic therapy within the last 24 months. 4. Use of oral antibiotics within the last 6 weeks 5. Using a food exclusion diet due to diagnosis of food allergies or other food intolerances. 6. Individuals on medication requiring regular medical consultations (≤ 6 monthly) 7. Routine use of proprietary probiotics or prebiotics; in tablets, capsules or in powder form. 8. Recent COVID-19 infection (≤ 28 days) or close contact with someone known to test positive (≤ 14 days). 9. Pregnant and/or breastfeeding individuals 10. Other severe or uncontrolled systemic disease or evidence of any other significant disorder that makes it undesirable for the patient to participate |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/11/2021 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/10/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Scotland
Study participating centres
Glasgow
G12 0YN
United Kingdom
Glasgow
G42 9LF
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRA research summary | 26/07/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
24/04/2023: The recruitment end date was changed from 01/02/2023 to 31/10/2023.
18/10/2022: Cancer Research UK plain English summary link added to plain English summary field.
02/11/2021: The recruitment start date was changed from 27/11/2021 to 01/11/2021.
01/11/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The ethics approval was added.
2. The recruitment start date was changed from 01/09/2021 to 27/11/2021.
01/07/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 4.
