Fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease of the gut

Increasing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota is closely associated with ACute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in stem cell transplantation (SCT). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could represent an alternative treatment option for aGVHD. However, FMT for SCT patients carries a potential risk of infection by infused microbiota because of the severely immuno suppressed status. We there for econducte dapilot study to evaluate the safety of FMT in SCT. A total of 4 patients with steroid-resistant (n 53) or steroid-dependent gut aGVHD (n 51) received FMT. No severe adverse events attributed to FMT were observed. All patients responded to FMT, with 3 complete responses and 1 partial response. Temporal dynamics of microbiota seemed to be linked to the gut condition of patients and peripheral effector regulatory T cells also increased during response to FMT. FMT was safely performed in our patients and might offer a novel therapeutic option for aGVHD.