Fecal Microbiome Transplantation Transiently Supports Immunotherapy Withdrawal in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis. Homo sapiens

Complex bacteriotherapy, such fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) is an emerging therapeutic modality. Recent trials showed variable efficacy of FMT for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, only one case report utilized more than 5 FMTs when treating UC, thus far. We studied the clinical, metagenomic, and mucosal gene expression changes induced by serial FMTs in 3 pediatric UC patients during withdrawal of their immunosuppression. FMTs were safe and transiently supported immunotherapy withdrawal. This therapeutic effect associated with host gene expression changes relevant for enterocyte replication suppression. Our findings indicate the safety and therapeutic potential of serial FMTs in pediatric UC.