Development and Analysis of a Stool Bank for Cancer Patients

A growing body of evidence indicates that the composition of the gut microbiome can influence the efficacy of cancer drugs. For example, it has recently been demonstrated that the presence of certain microbes in the gut is correlated with better responsiveness to the new immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. Providing these particular microbes as a co-therapy may be a way to improve the overall success rate of these drugs. However, very little is currently known about the mechanisms involved in these observed positive effects.

In order to systematically identify how the presence or absence of particular microbes modulates responsiveness to checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapy drugs, Persephone Biome is building a biobank comprised of donated samples from a diversity of cancer patients undergoing various anti-cancer treatments. These samples will be analyzed using metabolic models and machine learning approaches to identify microbial species, gene functions, and metabolic pathways that are associated with efficacy and toxicity of treatments. Ultimately, these data will facilitate the development of live biotherapeutics as co-therapies to various cancer drugs.

This is a non-interventional, 2 site study in 100 subjects who are undergoing any type of cancer immunotherapy. It is preferred that enrollment is balanced by sex; however, it is not required. Subjects who meet the entry criteria will provide 5 samples each of blood, urine, and stool over a 12-month period.

During the screening visit, subjects will receive a stool sampling kit and instructions on how and when to collect the stool sample.

Prior to Visit 2, subjects will collect a stool sample and return it to the laboratory with the shipping material provided. At Visit 2 subjects will have blood drawn and urine collected. A stool sampling kit will be dispensed with instructions on how and when to collect the stool sample. Visit 2 must be conducted prior to the start of immunotherapy.

Prior to Visit 3, subjects will collect a stool sample and return it to the laboratory with the shipping material provided. At Visit 3 subjects will have blood drawn and urine collected. A stool sampling kit will be dispensed with instructions on how and when to collect the stool sample.

Prior to Visit 4, subjects will collect a stool sample and return it to the laboratory with the shipping material provided. At Visit 4 subjects will have blood drawn and urine collected. A stool sampling kit will be dispensed with instructions on how and when to collect the stool sample.