Yoho, David

Background: Fecal microbiota, live-jslm (RBL) is a microbiota-based product for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) in adults following antibiotic treatment. The safety and clinical effectiveness of RBL administered via colonoscopy in adults with rCDI were evaluated in CDI-SCOPE. An 8-week analysis showed 9.8% of participants had RBL-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; primary endpoint) and 95.1% experienced treatment success (no CDI recurrence). Objectives: To evaluate long-term safety and clinical effectiveness of RBL through 6 months of follow-up in CDI-SCOPE. Design: Single-arm exploratory phase IIIb trial conducted at 12 sites in the United States. Methods: Eligible adults with rCDI received a single 150-mL dose of RBL to the right colon via colonoscopy. The primary endpoint was RBL-related TEAEs through 8 weeks after RBL administration or confirmed treatment failure. Secondary endpoints included safety up to 6 months after RBL administration. Exploratory analyses included assessment of further CDI episodes. Results: Of the 41 participants enrolled, 39 completed trial assessments through 6 months. From 8 weeks through 6 months after RBL administration, 36 TEAEs in 15 participants (36.6%) were reported, one of which (irritable bowel syndrome) was RBL-related; most TEAEs (97.2%) were of mild or moderate severity. Over the 6-month trial period, 23 participants (56.1%) experienced 69 TEAEs; 94.2% were of mild or moderate severity. Serious TEAEs occurred in three participants (7.3%), none of which were related to RBL or its administration, and no TEAEs led to discontinuation or death. Overall, 38 participants (92.7%) did not experience further CDI episodes, 1 (2.4%) did between 8 weeks and 6 months, and 2 (4.9%) had an indeterminate outcome due to trial withdrawal before 8 weeks. Conclusion: RBL administered via colonoscopy was safe and effective for preventing CDI recurrence in adults with rCDI in CDI-SCOPE. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05831189.

Background: Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) occurs in up to 35% of patients with CDI, and further recurrence is common. Fecal microbiota, live-jslm (RBL) is safe and effective for preventing rCDI in adults following antibiotic treatment for rCDI when administered rectally. There is clinical interest in alternative routes of administration. Objectives: CDI-SCOPE assessed the safety and clinical effectiveness of RBL when administered via colonoscopy to adults with rCDI. Design: Single-arm, exploratory phase IIIb trial conducted at 12 sites in the United States. Methods: Eligible adults with rCDI received one administration of RBL consisting of one 150-mL dose of RBL, delivered via colonoscopy to the right side of the colon. The primary endpoint assessed RBL-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) within 8 weeks of RBL administration or until confirmed treatment failure. Secondary endpoints included treatment success (absence of CDI recurrence for 8 weeks following RBL administration), physician experience administering RBL via colonoscopy, and physician perception of participant benefit. Results: Of 54 participants screened, 41 were enrolled and received RBL via colonoscopy; 39 participants completed the 8-week visit. Five TEAEs in four participants (9.8%) were assessed as related to RBL, all of which were gastrointestinal and mild in severity. Overall, 18 participants (43.9%) experienced 33 TEAEs within 8 weeks, most of which were of mild (25/33; 75.8%) or moderate (5/33; 15.2%) severity. No TEAEs led to intensive care unit admission or death. Overall, 39 participants (95.1%) experienced treatment success; 2 participants (4.9%) withdrew consent and had an indeterminate outcome. Among physicians, 90.2% of investigators indicated a “positive” or “very positive” experience administering RBL by colonoscopy. All physicians assessed participant benefit as “much” or “very much” improved. Conclusion: This single-arm study suggests RBL administered via colonoscopy is practical, safe, and effective for preventing CDI recurrence following antibiotic treatment in adults. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05831189.