BILe Acid-gut Microbiome Axis MODification Through Diet Education for Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Colorectal Cancer Prevention; Colorectal Adenoma

• Registration Number: NCT07162337
• Lead Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brief Summary

This research study is a prospective, single-arm clinical trial to assess the effect of a dietary intervention for more plant-based and less animal-based food intake on secondary bile acid production, gut microbiota, circulating biomarkers and gene expression associated with colonic bile acid receptor activation and colorectal cancer.

Detailed Description

In this research study, the investigators are:

* Investigating the effect of more plant-based and less animal-based food intake on bile acid metabolomic composition in stool among individuals with a history of colorectal adenoma.

* Investigating the effect of more plant-based and less animal-based food intake on plasma bile acid metabolomic composition, the gut microbiome, circulating biomarkers and gene expression associated with colonic bile acid receptor activation and colorectal cancer among individuals with a history of colorectal adenoma.

Based on the following evidence:

* Growing evidence indicates that the gut microbiome and its metabolites play important roles in mediating the dietary effects on colorectal cancer risk

* Secondary bile acids are increasingly appreciated as important metabolites underlying the metabolic link between Western diet, the gut microbiome, and colorectal cancer

* Evidence suggests that secondary bile acids trigger a plethora of tumorigenic effects in the colon, including inflammation, oxidative DNA damage, and apoptosis resistance

* Epidemiological studies have revealed that a higher circulating level of secondary bile acids, particularly deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid, was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer

* High fat intake has been repeatedly reported to increase secondary bile acids, but the findings on how other nutrients or foods in Western diet may influence secondary bile acids remain mixed

The research procedures include screening for eligibility, study intervention, and scheduling two clinical research visits:

* Initial visit - immediately before starting the dietary intervention

* 1 week of observation prior to dietary intervention

* 4 weeks of dietary intervention (increasing plant based food and reducing animal-based food)

* Final visit (after completing the dietary intervention)

At the Initial and Final visits, there will be a collection of lifestyle and nutritional questionnaire data, blood samples, and stool samples. The initial visit will establish the baseline data. The 1-week pre-intervention observation will establish baseline food diary data (every 2 days). The 4-week intervention phase will involve phone calls from study staff to guide participants in their diet changes, additional food diary entries (every 2 days), stool sample collection (every 7 days), and body weight reporting (every 7 days).

It is expected that about 40 people will take part in this research study.

This research is being supported by the National Cancer Institute.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-31
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study Start: 2025-09-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-04
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-09
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-09
• Primary Completion: 2026-09-30
• Study Completion: 2028-10-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Underwent screening or surveillance colonoscopy with removal of at least one adenoma.
• Age 18-80 years.
• Habitually consume a Western pattern diet.
• BMI of at least 18.5 kg/m2 but less than 35 kg/m2
• Weight stable in last 3 months (loss or gain <4%).
• Subjects must be able and willing to follow study procedures and instructions.
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

• Strict dietary patterns (e.g., vegan, carnivore, kosher, low-carb etc.).
• Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, liver or kidney disease, bleeding diathesis.
• Any prior diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer (including esophageal, small intestine, colon, pancreatic), or any diagnosis of other cancers (with the exception of nonmelanoma skin) in which there has been any active treatment within the last three years.
• Known diagnosis of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) or Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC, Lynch Syndrome).
• Any adenoma that was not completely removed during previous colonoscopy.
• Known bleeding tendency/condition (e.g. von Willebrand disease) or history of peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleed requiring hospitalization, endoscopic complications, or contraindication to colonoscopy.
• Current use of anticoagulant therapies, including Heparin, Warfarin, Dalteparin sodium, Bivalirudin, Argatroban, Lepirudin, Heparin Sodium, Heparin/Dextrose, and an unwillingness or inability to discontinue anticoagulants.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Regular use of aspirin.
• Use of antibiotics or probiotics.
• Inability or unwillingness to abstain from limited consumption of animal-based food or to provide blood or stool samples during the study.
• Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Known positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus, or acute or chronic hepatitis B infection.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Stool Metabolomics	From Baseline to Final Visit (5 weeks)	Comparing change in stool metabolomics, using non-targeted global metabolomics analysis on stool samples to examine intensity changes in the stool metabolite profile.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Relative Composition of Gut Microbiome	From Baseline to Final Visit (5 weeks)	Comparing change in gut microbiome features (species - to strain level specificity; metabolic pathways; enzymes) and metabolites using deep meta'omic profiling in pre- and post- treatment samples.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States