FMT In High-Risk Acute GVHD After ALLO HCT

In this research study, the investigators are evaluating the effectiveness of Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) treatment in high-risk acute GVHD. The investigators are evaluating the effectiveness of FMT (also known as 'stool transplantation' or 'fecal transplant') in being able to transfer gut organisms from a healthy donor to the patient.

The investigators are also evaluating the ability of this treatment to improve or completely resolve the clinical symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, liver inflammation) that can occur with acute GVHD.This research study is a Pilot Study, which is the first time investigators are examining this intervention for treatment of acute GVHD.

The FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has not approved FMT for this use. The FDA has classified human stool as a biological agent and determined that its use in FMT therapy should be regulated to ensure patient safety. To use FMT to treat recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, the most common indication for FMT, does not require an investigation new drug permit. To use FMT for research or to treat any condition other than recurrent Clostridium difficile infection requires an investigation new drug permit. An investigation new drug permit has been obtained for this study.

• After HCT, the body's microbiome (the natural existence of various bacteria and organisms) in the intestinal tract may be affected, in that the number and types of good bacteria is reduced (also called a reduction in microbial flora diversity). Studies have shown that the number and types of good bacteria in the gut can impact whether or not graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is developed. GVHD occurs when donated bone marrow cells attack the body with an immune response.
• FMT is a process utilizing microbial components which are the good, healthy bacteria that would otherwise naturally occur the body. Since may have decreased microbial flora diversity after HCT, these microbial components are taken from a stool donor. They are extracted from fecal matter (stool) and put into a capsule to ingest.

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women ≥ 18 years old
• Patient has undergone allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from any donor (related or unrelated with any degree of HLA matching) and any donor source (bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, or cord blood) for a hematologic malignancy or disorder. Recipients of myeloablative and reduced-intensity conditioning regimens are eligible.
• Evidence of myeloid engraftment (eg, absolute neutrophil count ≥ 0.5 × 109/L for 3 consecutive assessments if ablative therapy was previously used). Use of growth factor supplementation is allowed.
• Patient must have clinically suspected Grade II to IV aGVHD as per MAGIC criteria. Clinical suspicion of aGVHD by the treating physician is sufficient and biopsies are not required to pathologically confirm aGVHD. However, in situations where alternative diagnoses of drug effects or infection are not adequately ruled out on clinical suspicion alone, biopsies are recommended. - Patients must have a diagnosis of high-risk acute GVHD, defined as either:

-- Steroid-refractory GVHD:

• Progressive GVHD after at least 3 days of systemic corticosteroids (≥ 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalent), OR
• No improvement in GVHD after at least 7 days on ≥ 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalent or insufficient improvement which warrants the addition of another agent, OR
• Flare of GVHD symptoms during taper.
• High-risk, treatment-naïve GVHD

• AA3 risk by Ann Arbor GVHD scoring risk system
• Treatment-naïve: less than 3 days of therapy with systemic corticosteroids (≥ 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalent)
• Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study and for 3 months after FMT.
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document, including the willingness to accept risk of unrelated donor stool.
• Ability to swallow large capsules.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants who have initiated a new systemic treatment for steroid-refractory GVHD (institutional standard or investigational agent) within the 2 weeks prior to first dose of FMT. Treatment with FMT is allowed once the time since initiation of newest systemic therapy is 2 weeks or longer.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Delayed gastric emptying syndrome or large hiatal hernia
• Known chronic aspiration
• Participants with a history of significant allergy to foods not excluded from the donor diet (excluded foods are tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, eggs)
• Pregnant and breast-feeding women are ineligible because they are not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• HIV-positive participants are ineligible.
• Participants who are unable to swallow pills.
• Participants with end-stage liver disease (cirrhosis)
• Participants with acute, active gastrointestinal infection (e.g., typhlitis, diverticulitis, appendicitis)
• Participants with inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's)
• Prior total colectomy