Microbiota Transfer for Chronic Sinusitis

(SNMT Trial)

Overseen By Amee Manges, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Amin Javer

Must be taking: Nasal steroids, Oral corticosteroids

Disqualifiers: Sinonasal tumors, Autoimmune diseases, Immune-compromised, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 46

Duration: 1 day

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer can help individuals with chronic sinusitis, a condition causing nasal blockage, facial pain, and loss of smell. The treatment transfers healthy sinus microbes from a donor to a patient's sinuses following a special "sinus power wash." This process resembles a fecal transplant used for certain gut infections. Suitable candidates have tried various treatments, including nasal steroids and antibiotics, yet continue to experience chronic sinusitis symptoms. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore an innovative treatment for those who have not found relief with existing therapies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since the trial involves a new treatment, it's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team to ensure there are no conflicts.

What prior data suggests that this SinoNasal Microbiota Transfer is safe for chronic sinusitis patients?

Research has shown that Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer (SNMT) is safe, based on past studies. This treatment involves transferring healthy sinus bacteria to a patient's sinus. Participants in these studies experienced immediate benefits, with some effects lasting up to six months. No major side effects occurred, indicating that the treatment is generally well-tolerated. This method resembles fecal transplants used for certain gut infections, which are also considered safe. Although SNMT is a newer treatment, current evidence on its safety is encouraging for those considering participation in a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer (SNMT) because it introduces a novel approach to treating chronic sinusitis by using beneficial bacteria from healthy donors. Unlike traditional treatments like antibiotics or corticosteroids, which often target symptoms or inflammation, SNMT aims to restore a healthy sinus microbiome, potentially addressing the root cause of persistent sinus issues. This method involves an innovative delivery system where donor mucus is directly placed into the affected sinuses, allowing for a targeted and potentially more effective intervention. This unique approach could offer a long-lasting solution for those who haven't found relief with existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer could be an effective treatment for chronic sinusitis?

Research shows that Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer (SNMT), a treatment studied in this trial, might help treat chronic sinusitis. Studies have found that SNMT is safe and can provide quick benefits to patients, with improvements lasting up to six months in some cases. SNMT transfers healthy bacteria from a donor's sinuses to the patient's, similar to how fecal transplants combat certain infections. This process may remove harmful bacteria and restore a healthy balance. Initial results are promising, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness for everyone with chronic sinusitis. Participants in this trial may receive either SNMT or a sham procedure to evaluate the treatment's effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amin Javer, MD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with stubborn chronic sinusitis who've had sinus surgery and max medical treatment but still suffer. They must be able to consent and have a SNOT-22 Score ≥20 or no improvement post-surgery. Excluded are immune-compromised, those outside the US, with sinonasal tumors, certain infections/diseases, autoimmune diseases affecting airways, recent other respiratory conditions except common colds, active cancer history or specific risk factors.

Inclusion Criteria

People who have not responded well to treatment for cytokine release syndrome.

Able to provide informed consent, complete donor screening, and adhere to SNMT mucus collection and testing procedures (for donors)

I am 19 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Living outside the US (for patients)

My doctor expects I have more than 6 months to live despite my severe illness.

I have been diagnosed with a tumor in my nasal passages.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a sinus power wash followed by either a SinoNasal Microbiota Transfer (SNMT) or a sham procedure

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments including SNOT-22 questionnaire, smell test, and endoscopic scoring

6 months

Multiple visits (in-person) at 45, 90, and 180 days

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sham Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer
• Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer

Trial Overview

The study tests if transferring healthy sinus microbes from screened donors into patients' sinuses (SNMT) after a 'sinus power wash' can improve chronic sinusitis. It's a double-blind trial where half get real SNMT and half get sham transfers to compare outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The transfer site for patients will be prepared by endoscopically removing any visible crusting, mucin, and purulent discharge from the sinuses and via manual high-volume (\>60 ml), high-pressure saline wash on day 0. The donor mucus sample will be homogenized using sterile, disposable rotor-stator homogenizer tips for 30 seconds and 5 ml of donor mucus will be instilled into the affected sinus cavity(ies) using a masked syringe under endoscopic visualization, with the recipient's head in a dependent position. Patients will remain in this position for 15 minutes to facilitate transfer.

Group II: Sham Sinonasal Microbiota Transfer Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sterile saline will replace the SNMT donor mucus in the masked syringe and will be delivered in an identical manner to the SNMT intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Amin Javer

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

160+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 22 patients with chronic sinusitis after radiotherapy, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most commonly identified bacteria, indicating a shift in the microbiota post-treatment.

Next-generation gene sequencing revealed additional pathogens not detected by standard culture methods in 50% of patients, suggesting that this advanced technique could enhance the understanding and treatment of post-radiation sinusitis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Detection of Microbiota in Post Radiation Sinusitis. Stoddard, TJ., Varadarajan, VV., Dziegielewski, PT., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 9 studies involving 244 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) found that the sinonasal microbiome's composition may influence clinical outcomes, with specific bacteria like Corynebacterium linked to better surgical results.

However, the findings were inconsistent, with some bacteria like Escherichia associated with worse symptoms, indicating that more research is needed to clarify how different microbes affect CRS outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of the sinonasal bacterial microbiome with clinical outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review. Wang, JC., Moore, CA., Epperson, MV., et al.[2022]

Current evidence does not strongly support the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis, as changes in the nasal microbiome after treatment are unpredictable and variable.

There is a need for further research on how oral antibiotics affect the sinonasal microbiome, particularly regarding the distribution of drug concentrations and their efficacy at different sites in the body.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring antibiotic levels and their relationship with the microbiome in chronic rhinosinusitis. Siu, J., Tingle, MD., Douglas, RG.[2021]

Recent advancements in DNA sequencing technology have enhanced our understanding of the human microbiome, revealing the significant role of bacterial communities in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis.

This review highlights three key aspects: the composition of nasal bacterial communities, their relationship with inflammatory responses, and the interactions between bacteria and the host, suggesting a complex interplay that contributes to chronic sinusitis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Role of nasal microbiome in chronic sinusitis]. Wang, L., Chen, F., Yang, L., et al.[2023]

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a generally safe and well-tolerated procedure for treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections, even in high-risk patients, with most short-term risks being mild and related to delivery methods.

Recent concerns have emerged regarding serious adverse events linked to FMT products from stool banks that do not screen for multi-drug resistant organisms, highlighting the need for improved safety protocols.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Is It Safe? Park, SY., Seo, GS.[2021]

Patients with chronic sinusitis showed significantly lower levels of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila, which are important for gut health and have anti-inflammatory properties.

The study suggests that analyzing gut microbiota could lead to personalized prebiotic and probiotic treatments to improve mucosal immunity in chronic sinusitis patients, although further research is needed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alteration of indicator gut microbiota in patients with chronic sinusitis. Michalik, M., Podbielska-Kubera, A., Basińska, AM., et al.[2023]

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have significantly reduced bacterial diversity in their sinus microbiota compared to healthy individuals, indicating a potential link between microbiota composition and CRS.

The study identified Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum as a pathogenic species associated with CRS, while Lactobacillus sakei was found to be a potentially protective bacterium that could help prevent infections, suggesting new avenues for therapeutic interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sinus microbiome diversity depletion and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum enrichment mediates rhinosinusitis. Abreu, NA., Nagalingam, NA., Song, Y., et al.[2022]

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown effectiveness in inducing clinical remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with 36% of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 50.5% of Crohn's disease (CD) patients achieving remission based on a systematic review of 53 studies involving 555 patients.

The study found that the likelihood of achieving remission in UC improved with more FMT infusions and lower gastrointestinal tract administration, although most adverse events were mild and transient, indicating a generally safe profile for FMT.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Faecal Microbiota Transplantation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Paramsothy, S., Paramsothy, R., Rubin, DT., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 8 randomized trials involving 472 IBS patients found that fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) did not significantly improve overall IBS symptom severity compared to placebo, indicating limited efficacy of FMT for IBS treatment.

While the oral route of FMT showed some initial improvement in response rates, this did not translate into a significant reduction in symptom severity, and the benefits appeared to diminish over time, suggesting that alternative bacterial-based treatments may be more effective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplant in irritable bowel syndrome: An update based on meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Abdelghafar, YA., AbdelQadir, YH., Motawea, KR., et al.[2022]

A pilot trial involving 24 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis showed that nasal irrigation with the probiotic Lactococcus lactis W136 was safe, with no major adverse events reported during the 14-day treatment period.

Patients experienced improvements in sinus symptoms and quality of life, suggesting that intranasal probiotics could be a promising treatment strategy for chronic rhinosinusitis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intranasal Application of Lactococcus lactis W136 Is Safe in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients With Previous Sinus Surgery. Endam, LM., Alromaih, S., Gonzalez, E., et al.[2021]

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) showed significant long-term efficacy in reducing IBS symptoms, with response rates of 69.1% and 77.8% for the 30g and 60g treatment groups, respectively, at 2 years, and 64.9% and 71.8% at 3 years, compared to only 26.3% in the placebo group.

No long-term adverse events were reported, indicating that FMT is a safe intervention for IBS, with improvements in quality of life and a decrease in dysbiosis index observed in the treatment groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome at 3 Years After Transplantation. El-Salhy, M., Winkel, R., Casen, C., et al.[2022]

Solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients face a higher risk of infections due to immunosuppression and antibiotic use, which can lead to gut microbiota imbalances.

Emerging therapies like fecal microbiota transplantation and precision probiotics show promise in restoring gut health and potentially improving outcomes for HSCT and SOT recipients with dysbiosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The gut microbiota in transplant patients. Chong, PP., Koh, AY.[2021]

In a study of 35 subjects with surgically-opened maxillary sinuses, only about 24.5% of the sinus microbiota was stable over time, indicating that while some bacteria are consistently present, their abundance can vary significantly.

Certain bacteria, like Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium, were commonly found in both healthy and inflamed sinuses, while others like Janthinobacterium and Lactobacillus were more prevalent in healthy sinuses, suggesting that the composition of the sinus microbiota may play a role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) pathogenesis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Temporal instability of the post-surgical maxillary sinus microbiota. Koutsourelakis, I., Halderman, A., Khalil, S., et al.[2018]

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