Investigation of β-hydroxybutyrate Supplementation as Chemoprevention in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (BHB-FAP)

August 27, 2025 updated by: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of BHB supplementation as a novel strategy to impede the development and progression of intestinal adenomas in individuals with FAP, thus potentially reducing the need for frequent upper endoscopies and colonoscopies and preventing the need for risk-reducing surgical intervention.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

We plan to undertake both an initial absorption study (Part A) in up to 9 individuals with FAP followed by a longitudinal open-label study (Part B) in up to 20 individuals with FAP, who will receive R-1,3-butanediol (HVMN Ketone-IQ), an orally administered BHB precursor. Participants with FAP in Part A will have a blood sample collected and then take R-1,3-butanediol at one of three different doses for 2 weeks, which will be followed by another blood sample collection. In Part B, participants with FAP will undergo colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy along with an upper endoscopy and will then receive R-1,3-butanediol. The participants will return at 4 weeks and 8 weeks for a blood draw and at that time will also provide a stool sample, and participants will check their ketone levels at home weekly. After 12 weeks of R-1,3-butanediol consumption, an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy will be performed, which will be the same as the procedure performed on study entry. At this point participants can be finished with the study, or they may have the option of continuing BHB for another 12 weeks in an extension study, followed by a repeat upper endoscopy and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy at 24 weeks.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Pennsylvania
      • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
        • Recruiting
        • Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Bryson W Katona, MD, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Part A

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Have a diagnosis of FAP with genetic testing demonstrating a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, must have a clinical FAP phenotype with at least one member of the family who has a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, or must have a clinical diagnosis of FAP as agreed by two gastrointestinal cancer genetics experts
  2. Must have an extensive colonic resection with either a subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (STC-IRA) or total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (TPC-IPAA)
  3. Can provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Subject is pregnant, a prisoner, or is under 18 years of age
  2. Prior total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy
  3. History of inflammatory bowel disease
  4. History of diabetes mellitus and are currently on medical diabetes therapy
  5. History of chronic kidney disease with an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2
  6. Cancer diagnosis where the subject is receiving active therapy
  7. Use of either a ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting (defined as a fasting period of 16 hours or more per day that is not associated with a medical procedure) during the 4 weeks prior to enrollment

Part B

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Have a diagnosis of FAP with genetic testing demonstrating a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, must have a clinical FAP phenotype with at least one member of the family who has a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, or must have a clinical diagnosis of FAP as agreed by two gastrointestinal cancer genetics experts.
  2. Willing to undergo a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, which may be part of the patient's routine standard care.
  3. Able to have a concurrent upper endoscopy performed with the colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. This upper endoscopy may be part of the patient's routine standard care.
  4. Have at least two colorectal polyps at enrollment (which can be present anywhere in the colon including the rectal cuff, or in the J-pouch [if applicable]).
  5. Can provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Subject is pregnant, a prisoner, or is under 18 years of age
  2. Patient is not able to undergo colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy or upper endoscopy
  3. Prior total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy
  4. History of inflammatory bowel disease
  5. History of diabetes mellitus and are currently on medical diabetes therapy
  6. History of chronic kidney disease with an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2
  7. Cancer diagnosis where the subject is receiving active therapy
  8. Use of either a ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting (defined as a fasting period of 16 hours or more per day that is not associated with a medical procedure) during the 4 weeks prior to enrollment
  9. Regular use of any FAP-related chemopreventive agent in the 6 weeks prior to enrollment including aspirin (> 81mg daily), NSAIDs, BHB supplementation, or any other medication deemed a chemopreventive agent by the study investigators
  10. Any colonic or small intestinal polyp observed endoscopically that is > 1 cm in size and is not removed (excluding ampullary adenomas)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Part A - 10 grams
Study participants will take one 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth per day (10 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 2 weeks
Dietary supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (10G-A)
Study participants will take one 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth per day (10 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 2 weeks
Other Names:
  • HVMN Ketone-IQ
Experimental: Part A - 20 grams
Study participants will take two 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth per day (20 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 2 weeks
Dietary supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (20G-A)
Study participants will take two 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth per day (20 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 2 weeks
Other Names:
  • HVMN Ketone-IQ
Experimental: Part A - 30 grams
Study participants will take three 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth per day (30 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 2 weeks
Dietary supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (30G-A)
Study participants will take three 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth per day (30 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 2 weeks
Other Names:
  • HVMN Ketone-IQ
Experimental: Part B - 30 grams
Study participants will take one 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth three times per day (30 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 12 weeks, with a possible additional 12 week extension
Dietary supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (30G-B)
Study participants will take one 35mL dose of HVMN Ketone-IQ by mouth three times per day (30 total grams of R-1,3-Butanediol) for 12 weeks, with a possible additional 12 week extension
Other Names:
  • HVMN Ketone-IQ

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Determine whether oral BHB supplementation is safe and tolerable in FAP
Time Frame: Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years
Assessment of FAP patient tolerance of BHB supplements through monitoring of side effects and/or intolerances and patient compliance. We will monitor the percentage of individuals who continue BHB supplementation for the duration of the study, as well as the compliance with taking the BHB supplement.
Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Measure whether oral BHB supplementations increases serum BHB levels in FAP
Time Frame: Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years
Measure fasting serum BHB levels before, during, and at the end of BHB supplementation to determine if BHB supplementation significantly increases serum BHB levels.
Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years
Change in transcription and protein expression in the intestinal mucosa and in intestinal polyps in FAP after oral BHB supplementation
Time Frame: Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years
Transcriptional profiling and subsequent validation with protein level determination will be performed in the intestinal mucosa and in intestinal polyps before and after BHB supplementation to determine if BHB supplementation is having measurable transcriptional and protein effects on the intestinal mucosa and on intestinal polyps.
Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years
Determine whether oral BHB supplementation in FAP reduces intestinal polyp burden
Time Frame: Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years
The polyp burden in the duodenum as well as in the lower GI tract (rectal cuff, rectum, rectal pouch) will be calculated through polyp counting and measurement on endoscopy before and after BHB supplementation to permit comparison of polyp burden before and after BHB supplementation.
Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Bryson W Katona, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 20, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 27, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 28, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 29, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 4, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 27, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • UPCC 08224

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

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