Fecal microbiota transplant for Alcohol-Associated Cirrhosis

Current medication options for AUD have only partial success and have a low evidence base in cirrhosis. Gut dysbiosis, which may be initiated by alcohol, contributes to cirrhosis development. Our overarching goal is to develop a potent therapeutic targeting the intestinal microbiota to alleviate the impact of AUD and AROD through the gut-liver-brain axis. We base our approach on fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), originally developed for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). We have also shown in randomized, placebo- controlled clinical trials the benefit and safety of different FMT formulations in cirrhosis. Furthermore, in a recent randomized trial of actively drinking AUD cirrhotic patients, we demonstrated that FMT reduced alcohol consumption and craving, and improved cognition and psychosocial health-related quality of life (HRQOL) versus placebo. We also found similar engraftment with capsule versus enema FMT. The FDA regulates FMT as a drug and a biologic. Our group uses Good Manufacturing Practices to manufacture FMT products in both liquid and freeze-dried, encapsulated formulations. Our hypothesis is that restructuring the gut microbiota using FMT will reduce alcohol consumption compared to placebo in patients with AUD and cirrhosis. To test this, we will conduct a Phase 1b/2a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial using administration of a standardized oral encapsulated FMT preparation (FMT) at baseline and day 30 in patients with AUD and cirrhosis. Aim 1: Measure the effect of FMT on alcohol consumption. The primary outcome is number of abstinent days at three months in FMT compared to placebo. We will assess daily alcohol consumption and cravings using patient-reported measures and objective urinary and plasma markers. Aim 2: Determine the impact of FMT on safety and liver dysfunction. We will monitor safety outcomes and liver function throughout the trial. Aim 3: Determine the impact of FMT on microbial compositional and function. Comparative analyses of stool microbial composition, and serum metabolomics will be performed between and within groups. Targeted metabolomics will be focused on neuroactive metabolites that are produced or modulated by microbiota, e.g., SCFA, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, indolic compounds, and bile acids. Aim 4: Determine the impact of FMT on brain dysfunction and patient-reported outcomes using cognitive testing and HRQOL testing. We will evaluate HRQOL and cognition using validated instruments (Sickness Impact Profile, EncephalApp Stroop, Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score). We will enroll 80 participants with AUD cirrhosis (randomized 1:1 to FMT versus placebo) under FDA IND. The team has access to patients, microbial expertise, infrastructure and AUD trial experience to carry out the trial.