Food Intervention to Reduce Immunotherapy ToXicity

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Immune-related Adverse Event; Dietary Habits
• Interventions: Other: Food box containing 30 different plants

• Registration Number: NCT05832606
• Lead Sponsor: Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

Brief Summary

The FORX (Food intervention to Reduce immunotherapy toXicity) trial will assess whether supplementing dietary fiber intake by providing weekly boxes containing 30 different plants to patients with solid tumors starting immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy affects the incidence of immune related adverse events.

Detailed Description

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment but can give rise to immune related adverse events (irAEs) that are currently not preventable. These irAEs impact patients' quality of life and oncological treatment course. The gut plays an essential role in immune homeostasis and gut dysbiosis is implicated in (auto)inflammatory conditions. The FORX trial investigates whether the composition of the gut microbiome can be altered to improve ICI tolerance. It has been shown that healthy volunteers who ingest at least 30 different plants (vegetables, fruits, nuts) weekly, have a more diverse microbiome than those who consume 10 or less. A fiber-rich diet has been associated with improved outcome of ICI treatment. This trial is the first prospective trial to translate these findings into a concrete dietary advice. The diets of patients with a solid tumor who start ICI will be supplemented by weekly boxes containing 30 different plants during the first 12 weeks of their treatment. The increased fiber intake is expected to strengthen the gut microbiome and reduce the incidence of irAEs. Stool and blood samples will clarify the microbial and cytokine signatures associated with irAEs. The FORX trial will provide valuable insights in the interaction between the gut microbiome and autoimmunity and serve as a basis for nutritional advice and the development of targeted probiotics. It will empower cancer patients and improve their quality of life.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-03-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-04-14
• Study First Posted: 2023-04-27
• Study Start: 2024-01-01
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-21
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-26
• Primary Completion: 2026-07-31
• Study Completion: 2026-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• solid tumor starting anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD1) and/or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (anti-CTLA4) antibodies as part of standard of care.
• able to sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• no oral intake possible.
• probiotic use and unwillingness to stop during the trial.
• combination therapy with chemotherapy or targeted agents.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
High Fiber diet	Food box containing 30 different plants	During the first 12 weeks of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, patients will receive weekly boxes containing 30 different plants (vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains) according to seasonal availability following the Flemish Superior Health Council guidelines. Recipes will be added to inspire processing of the box. Boxes will be ordered at an online supermarket, who will deliver the boxes at patients' homes. Weekly follow-up will ensure a minimum daily intake of 20 g of fiber, progressively increasing over the first 4 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility of performing a dietary intervention trial in our center	12 weeks	Recruitment will be temporarily held after 10 patients to assess compliance with protocol and dietary intervention. If at least 7/10 patients are able to complete the 12 weeks according to protocol, the trial will be considered feasible and recruitment will continue.
Incidence of immune related adverse events	up to 24 months	Assess incidence and grade of irAEs throughout the 12-week intervention phase and until end of ICI treatment by frequency counts and grade. Comparison with historical control.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in gut microbiota	12 weeks and in case of an irAE up to 48 months	Assess changes in gut microbiota composition following dietary intervention. Assess microbiota signatures associated with irAEs.
Response rate	up to 48 weeks	Measure objective response rate at 12 weeks and progression free survival at week 12, 24 and 48 according to RECIST 1.1. Observational comparison with historical control.
Quality of life	12 weeks	Assess change in quality of life following dietary intervention using European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) questionnaire at baseline, at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks.
Assess changes in cytokines and immune cell subsets associated with irAEs	12 weeks and in case of an irAE up to 48 months	Blood samples will be collected at baseline, every 4 weeks for 12 weeks during the intervention and in case of toxicity. Based on published data, the investigators will primarily focus on Th17-related cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, IFN-gamma). PBMC will be analysed using high dimensional flow cytometry, using panels to measure different immune cell subsets (T cells and subtypes, B cells, among which regulatory B cells). Analysis using regression models.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UZ Brussel; 🇧🇪 Jette, Belgium