RECRUITING

A Phase II Trial Utilizing Metronidazole to Optimize the Microbiome of Rectal Adenocarcinoma Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy

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Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

To learn if adding metronidazole to standard therapy can decrease populations of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and other anaerobes (small organisms that cause infections) in participants with rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant therapy, compared to neoadjuvant therapy alone.

Official Title

A Phase II Trial Utilizing Metronidazole to Optimize the Microbiome of Rectal Adenocarcinoma Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy

Quick Facts

Study Start:2024-07-10

Study Completion:2026-10-31

Study Type:Not specified

Phase:Not Applicable

Enrollment:Not specified

Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06569368

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.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No

Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT

Inclusion Criteria	Exclusion Criteria
* Participants with locally advanced rectal cancers (T3, T4, or N+ disease) with decision to treat with total neoadjuvant therapy. * No previous cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy in management of the index tumor. * Age ≥18 years. Because of dosing differences between pediatric and adult populations and the introduced variability with these regiments to the study's primary outcomes, participants \<18 years of age, children are excluded from this study. * ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%,) * Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below: * For participants with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated. * Participants with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load. * Participants with unresectable distant metastases are ineligible. * Participants with unresectable primary tumors are ineligible. * Participants with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial. * Participants with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, participants should be class 2B or better. * The effects of metronidazole on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason and because B2 agents as well as other therapeutic agents used in this trial are known to be teratogenic, 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. (Refer to Pregnancy Assessment Policy MD Anderson Institutional Policy # CLN1114). This includes all female patients, between the onset of menses (as early as 8 years of age) and 55 years unless the participant presents with an applicable exclusionary factor which may be one of the following: * Postmenopausal (no menses in greater than or equal to 12 consecutive months). * History of hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. * Ovarian failure (Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol in menopausal range, who have received Whole Pelvic Radiation Therapy). * History of bilateral tubal ligation or another surgical sterilization procedure. * Approved methods of birth control are as follows: Hormonal contraception (i.e., birth control pills, injection, implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring), Intrauterine device (IUD), Tubal Ligation or hysterectomy, Subject/Partner post vasectomy, Implantable or injectable contraceptives, and condoms plus spermicide. Not engaging in sexual activity for the total duration of the trial and the drug washout period is an acceptable practice; however periodic abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable methods of birth control. 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. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. * Both English and non-English-speaking participants will be eligible for inclusion in the trial.	* Participants who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 1 year prior to entering the study. * Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents. * Participants with brain metastases or other unresectable metastases who would therefore not undergo standard of care proctectomy. * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to metronidazole or other agents used in study. * Prior history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or other nitroimidazole derivatives. * Concurrent treatment with disulfiram. * Cockayne syndrome. * Participants with uncontrolled intercurrent illness (Indicate clearly what type or extent). * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial. * Participants with psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. * Pregnant women are excluded from this study because metronidazole is a B2 agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with metronidazole, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with metronidazole. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study. * Participants who received cytotoxic chemotherapy within the last year are excluded from this study given known associations between chemotherapy administration and alterations in the tumoral microbiome.

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

* Participants with locally advanced rectal cancers (T3, T4, or N+ disease) with decision to treat with total neoadjuvant therapy.
* No previous cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy in management of the index tumor.
* Age ≥18 years. Because of dosing differences between pediatric and adult populations and the introduced variability with these regiments to the study's primary outcomes, participants \<18 years of age, children are excluded from this study.
* ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%,)
* Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below:
* For participants with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated.
* Participants with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load.
* Participants with unresectable distant metastases are ineligible.
* Participants with unresectable primary tumors are ineligible.
* Participants with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial.
* Participants with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, participants should be class 2B or better.
* The effects of metronidazole on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason and because B2 agents as well as other therapeutic agents used in this trial are known to be teratogenic, 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. (Refer to Pregnancy Assessment Policy MD Anderson Institutional Policy # CLN1114). This includes all female patients, between the onset of menses (as early as 8 years of age) and 55 years unless the participant presents with an applicable exclusionary factor which may be one of the following:
* Postmenopausal (no menses in greater than or equal to 12 consecutive months).
* History of hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
* Ovarian failure (Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol in menopausal range, who have received Whole Pelvic Radiation Therapy).
* History of bilateral tubal ligation or another surgical sterilization procedure.
* Approved methods of birth control are as follows: Hormonal contraception (i.e., birth control pills, injection, implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring), Intrauterine device (IUD), Tubal Ligation or hysterectomy, Subject/Partner post vasectomy, Implantable or injectable contraceptives, and condoms plus spermicide. Not engaging in sexual activity for the total duration of the trial and the drug washout period is an acceptable practice; however periodic abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable methods of birth control. 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.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
* Both English and non-English-speaking participants will be eligible for inclusion in the trial.

* Participants who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 1 year prior to entering the study.
* Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents.
* Participants with brain metastases or other unresectable metastases who would therefore not undergo standard of care proctectomy.
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to metronidazole or other agents used in study.
* Prior history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or other nitroimidazole derivatives.
* Concurrent treatment with disulfiram.
* Cockayne syndrome.
* Participants with uncontrolled intercurrent illness (Indicate clearly what type or extent).
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial.
* Participants with psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Pregnant women are excluded from this study because metronidazole is a B2 agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with metronidazole, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with metronidazole. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study.
* Participants who received cytotoxic chemotherapy within the last year are excluded from this study given known associations between chemotherapy administration and alterations in the tumoral microbiome.

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Michael G White, MD

CONTACT

(713) 355-0897

mgwhite@mdanderson.org

Principal Investigator

Michael G White, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Study Locations (Sites)

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030

United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Michael G White, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

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 Registration Dates

Study Start Date2024-07-10

Study Completion Date2026-10-31

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2024-07-10

Study Completion Date2026-10-31

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Rectal Adenocarcinoma