Prevention of Irinotecan Induced Diarrhea by Probiotics

December 12, 2022 updated by: S&D Pharma SK s.r.o.

Prevention of Irinotecan Induced Diarrhea by Probiotics: A Phase III Study

Diarrhea is a relatively common complication in patients with cancer. At its inception, several mechanisms participated; malabsorption on the basis of mucositis induced by chemotherapy, dysbiosis induced by broad-spectrum antibiotics and predisposition to infectious diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. Some cytostatics and their metabolites can also induce diarrhea directly due to effect on the intestinal mucosa.

Use of probiotics in prevention and treatment of diarrhea relies on both the theoretical assumptions and the results of several clinical trials. Lactic acid bacteria involved in the treatment of dysbiosis, compete for substrate with pathogenic bacteria, produce bacterio-cins, increase transepithelial resistance. Their enzymatic activity affects activation or deactivation of metabolites which cause diarrhea. Production of short chain fatty acids, which are important for the maintenance of intestinal mucosal cells also contributes to their antidiarrhoeal effect.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre trial was designed to evaluate potential of probiotics to prevent grade 3-4 diarrhea in patients treated by irinotecan based chemotherapy during first 6 weeks of irinotecan based chemotherapy

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

In preventing antibiotic-induced diarrhea in double blind placebo controlled clinical trials it was found protective effect of probiotics containing S. boulardii and Enterococcus faecium. Also in preventing infectious diseases associated with Clostridium difficile, administration of probiotics resulted in a significant decrease in disease recurrence. Duration of rotavirus diarrhea, in children and in immunocompromised HIV-positive patients was significantly shortened after administration of strains of Lactobacilli and S. boulardii respectively.

Meta-analysis of 9 randomized, placebo-controlled trials showed significant reduction in the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhea in children. Another meta-analysis in which 23 studies were included showed significant reduction in risk of infectious diarrhea. Most of these studies was carried out with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG®.

The incidence of diarrhea during treatment of acute leukemia is between 15 to 80%. Severe diarrhea level 3 to 4 is present in 8-20% and is much more common during the induction phase of chemotherapy. In phase II study performed in NCI Slovakia preventive administration of Enterococcus faecium probiotic strain M-74 with selenium was associated with low incidence (14%) and severity (all grade 1) diarrhea, despite the fact that half of the patients received induction therapy. The investigators noted safety of probiotic strain during 370 days of severe neutropenia Gr 3-4.

The incidence of irinotecan induced diarrhea varies between 60-90%, by which the incidence of severe diarrhea is 20-40%. In phase II studies, its incidence was 17% in NCI Slovakia, but irinotecan dose was reduced by 25% in all patients. Diarrhea is an important factor in morbidity and mortality during irinotecan based chemotherapy. Predisposing factors are age over 65 years, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) PS (Performance status) of 1 and previous abdominopelvic radiation. One of irinotecan metabolites, SN-38 (7-ethyl-10 hydroxycamptothecin), which is glucuronidated in the liver and subsequently expelled into intestine is main cause of diarrhea. Due to the bacterial enzyme beta-D-glucuronidase it is deconjugated in intestinal lumen again. This form causes direct damage to intestinal mucosa associated with malabsorption of water, electrolytes and development of diarrhea.

Reduction of activity of intestinal beta-D-glucuronidase using broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or beta-D-glucuronidase inhibitors is one of the ways to avoid irinotecan induced diarrhea. It is also possible to modulate metabolism of irinotecan using cyclosporine and phenobarbital to reduce biliary excretion of SN-38 and induction of glucuronidation. Promising results were shown using activated charcoal, which has resulted in the absorption of SN-38. Also other methods were tested: oral alkalization, thalidomide, amifostine, but without success. These procedures have been studied only in phase II trials. It is known that some probiotic bacteria, reduce activity of intestinal beta-D-glucuronidase and therefore these bacteria could be applied in the prevention of diarrhea in patients treated by irinotecan based therapy.

Results of phase III study, that was prematurely terminated due to poor accrual showed benefit of Colon Dophilus on irinotecan induced gastrointestinal toxicity. In this trial, 46 patients with colorectal cancer starting a new line of irinotecan based therapy were enrolled. 5-fluorouracil/capecitabine along with irinotecan was administered to 26 (56.5%) patients and 22 (47.8%) patients received biological therapy as well. Patients were randomized 1:1 to probiotic (PRO) or placebo arm (PLA). Probiotic formula Colon Dophilus, was administered at a dose of 10x109 CFU (colony forming unit) of bacteria tid, orally for 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was incidence of grade 3/4 diarrhea. 23 patients were randomized to PRO and 23 patients to PLA. Administration of probiotics compared to placebo led to a reduction in the incidence of severe diarrhea of grade 3 or 4 (0% for PRO vs. 17.4% for PLA, p = 0.11), as well as reduction of the overall incidence of diarrhea (39.1% for PRO vs. 60.9% for PLA, p = 0.24) and incidence of enterocolitis (0% for PRO vs. 8.7% for PLA). Patients on PRO used less loperamide compared to PLA (mean duration of loperamide use: 4.5 days for PRO vs. 10.4 days for PLA, p = 0.45; mean number of loperamide tablets: 5.9 for PRO vs. 37.7 for PLA, p = 0.49). There was no infection caused by probiotic strains recorded.

Two recent studies in murine model showed, that bacteria in the gut enhance the body's immune response to cancer, mobilizing immune cells to kill cancer cells, not just in the gut but throughout the body as well. The researchers also found that the bacteria affect the efficacy of three different cancer treatments.

Given their low toxicity, good tolerability, probiotics may be an important part of supportive therapy and moreover they can enhance efficacy of anticancer therapy. The objective of this phase III. trial is to determine effectiveness of the probiotic formula Probio-Tec® BG-VCap-6.5 in the prophylaxis of irinotecan induced diarrhea due to reduction intestinal beta-D-glucuronidase activity and further biochemical and physiological actions of specific strains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG®, LGG® that are active substances of used food supplement - PROBIO-FIX INUM®. Both of strains are well-documented. LGG® has been studied in more over 800 scientific publications. Studies have found that LGG® supports immunity, enhances antibody formation during viral infection, and decreases incidence of gastrointestinal infections, antibiotic associated diarrhoea, and respiratory infections. In addition to its well-researched health benefits, the safety of LGG® has been more widely studied than any other probiotic bacterium. It has a safe history of use in foods and is extensively documented in more over 200 clinical studies.

The large number of clinical studies and scientific publications indicate that the BB-12® probiotic strain - alone or in combination with other of probiotic strains (e.g. LGG®) - may have beneficial effects regarding the gastrointestinal and immune areas. BB-12® is considered to be best studied probiotic bifidobacteria, described in more than 360 scientific studies.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

233

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • Slovakia
      • Bratislava, Slovakia, 833 10
        • National Cancer Institute

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • signed written informed consent
  • age > 18 years
  • histologically proven colorectal cancer patients starting new line of chemotherapy based on irinotecan
  • ECOG PS 0 - 1 at study entry
  • life expectancy more than 3 months
  • absence of any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule;

Exclusion Criteria:

  • impossibility to take oral medication
  • active infection treated by antibiotic therapy
  • ileostoma
  • hypersensitivity to study drug
  • any concurrent malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer, no other cancer in past 5 years.
  • serious concomitant systemic disorders or diseases incompatible with the study (at the discretion of investigator )

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: placebo

Intervention: Maltodextrin will be used for placebo group and will be administered at a the same dose as active formula (3x1 cps per day orally for 6 weeks).

Patients should receive full supportive care during the study, including transfusion of blood and blood products, treatment with antibiotics, anti-emetics, anti-diarrheal agents, analgesics, erythropoetin, or bisphosphonates, when appropriate.
Drug: Placebo
Maltodextrin
Other Names:
  • Maltodextrin
Active Comparator: active probiotic formula

Intervention: Probiotic formula Probio-Tec® BG-VCap-6.5 will be administered at a dose of 3x1 cps per day orally for 6 weeks. No premedication or patient monitoring after administration of probiotic formula is required. Probiotic formula may be taken after meals or snacks to reduce stomach upset. Swallow the capsule or in case of problems with swallowing, capsule can be opened, content mixed with small amount of food. Food must not be hot.

Patients should receive full supportive care during the study, including transfusion of blood and blood products, treatment with antibiotics, anti-emetics, anti-diarrheal agents, analgesics, erythropoetin, or bisphosphonates, when appropriate.
Drug: Probio-Tec® BG-VCap-6.5
Each capsule contents: 2 lyophilized probiotic strains, total amount of minimum 2,7x10 9 CFU/cps, ratio LGG®: BB-12® = 50% : 50% (Culture percentages are based on cell concentration and are approximate) Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG® (ATCC 53103) Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® (DSM 15954) Additives: maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, silicium dioxide, magnesium stearate
Other Names:
  • PROBIO-FIX INUM®

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Prevention of grade 3-4 diarrhea induced by irinotecan based chemotherapy
Time Frame: first 6 weeks of irinotecan based chemotherapy
To determine the efficacy (as measured by prevention of grade 3/4 diarrhea) of probiotic formula Probio-Tec® BG-VCap-6.5 given orally to patients with colorectal cancer starting new line of irinotecan based chemotherapy. Response will be defined as prevention of grade 3/4 diarrhea according to definition of NCI CTC version 4.0
first 6 weeks of irinotecan based chemotherapy

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Progression-free survival
Time Frame: 1 year
Progression-free survival period will be evaluated according to standard protocol.
1 year
Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events [Safety and Toxicity]
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Safety and toxicity will be evaluated according to NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 (CTCAE) (see Appendix D; http://www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/toxicityframe.htm).
6 weeks
Prevention of any grade of diarrhea
Time Frame: 6 weeks
To determine the efficacy (as measured by prevention of grade 1/2 diarrhea) of probiotic formula Probio-Tec® BG-VCap-6.5 given orally to patients with colorectal cancer during first 6 weeks of irinotecan based chemotherapy. Response will be defined as prevention of grade 1/2 diarrhea according to definition of NCI CTC version 4.0
6 weeks
Prevention of other gastrointestinal symptoms
Time Frame: 6 weeks
To determine the efficacy (as measured by prevention of enterocolitis) of probiotic formula Probio-Tec® BG-VCap-6.5 given orally to patients with colorectal cancer starting new line of irinotecan based chemotherapy. Response will be defined as prevention of enterocolitis during first 6 weeks of irinotecan based chemotherapy according to definition of NCI CTC version 4.0.
6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

S&D Pharma SK s.r.o.

Collaborators

National Cancer Institute, Slovakia

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Michal Mego, MD, National Cancer Institute Bratislava
  • Principal Investigator: Lubos Drgona, MD, National Cancer Institute Bratislava

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

March 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

November 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 11, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 28, 2016

First Posted (Estimate)

June 30, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

December 14, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 12, 2022

Last Verified

December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Undecided

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Cancer

Clinical Trials on Placebo

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Azerbaijan

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe