The Immune Effects of Fermented Wheat Germ Nutritional Supplementation in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumor Cancers Being Treated With Standard of Care Checkpoint Inhibitors

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS · Jul 26, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a nutritional supplement called fermented wheat germ on the immune system of patients with advanced solid tumor cancers, such as lung cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer. These patients are already receiving standard cancer treatments known as checkpoint inhibitors, which help the body’s immune system fight cancer. The aim of the trial is to find out if adding fermented wheat germ to their treatment can provide any additional benefits.

To participate in this trial, patients must be at least 18 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of specific advanced cancers. They should be in relatively good health, meaning their performance status is low enough that they can manage the treatment and have a life expectancy of more than six months. During the study, participants will take the fermented wheat germ supplement alongside their regular cancer treatment. It’s important to note that while some believe fermented wheat germ can improve cancer treatment, there is currently no solid evidence to support these claims. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the trial to ensure their safety and to gather valuable information about the potential effects of the supplement.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Histologically or cytologically confirmed non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), melanoma, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) solid tumor malignancies deemed appropriate to receive standard-of-care checkpoint inhibitor (CPi)-based therapy
• • Age \>= 18 years of age at time of consent
• • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2 (Karnofsky \>= 60%)
• • Life expectancy of greater than 6 months
• • Women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) for the duration of study participation (including dosing interruptions) and for 5 months (150 days) after the last dose of study agent. Women must agree to refrain from egg donation during this timeframe
• • Male subjects must agree to employ an effective method of birth control starting dose from cycle 1 day 1, including dosing interruptions through 90 days after receipt of the last dose of fermented wheat germ (FWG). Male subjects must agree to refrain from sperm donation while taking FWG during study treatment for at least 90 days after the last dose of FWG
• • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
• • Must be able to swallow study treatment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior allogeneic bone marrow transplantation or solid organ transplantation
• • Chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 2 weeks (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) prior to cycle 1 day 1. However, the following therapies are allowed: \* Hormone-replacement therapy or oral contraceptives \* Herbal therapy intended as anticancer therapy must be discontinued for at least 1 week prior to enrollment)
• • Any subject who have not recovered to at least grade 2 from adverse events (other than alopecia) due to agents administered more than 2 weeks earlier. Treatment with any other investigational agent within 3 weeks
• • Currently taking FWG
• • Treatment with systemic immunostimulatory agents (for example, interferon \[IFN\]-alpha or interleukin \[IL\]-2) within 6 weeks prior
• • Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medications (for example, corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, calcineurin inhibitors, and anti-tumor necrosis factor \[anti-TNF\] agents) within 14 days prior to first dose of FWG. The following are exceptions to this criterion: \* Intranasal, inhaled, topical or local steroid injections (e.g., intra-articular injection); steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity reactions; systemic corticosteroid at physiologic doses not to exceed 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent may be enrolled \* Patients who have received acute, low dose, systemic immunosuppressant medications (e.g., a one-time dose of dexamethasone for nausea) may be enrolled \* The use of inhaled corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids (e.g., fludrocortisone) for patients with orthostatic hypotension or adrenocortical insufficiency is allowed
• • Patients taking bisphosphonate therapy for hypercalcemia. Use of bisphosphonate therapy for other reasons (e.g., bone metastasis or osteoporosis) is allowed
• • Known history of allergic reactions or sensitivity attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to the study agent (e.g., gluten)
• • Active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease \[e.g., colitis, Crohn's disease\], diverticulitis with the exception of a prior episode that has resolved or diverticulosis, celiac disease, irritable bowel disease, or other serious gastrointestinal chronic conditions associated with diarrhea; systemic lupus erythematosus; Wegener's syndrome \[granulomatosis with polyangiitis\]; myasthenia gravis; Graves' disease; rheumatoid arthritis; hypophysitis; uveitis; etc.) within the past 3 years prior to the start of treatment. The following are exceptions to this criterion: subjects with vitiligo or alopecia; subjects with hypothyroidism (e.g., following Hashimoto syndrome) stable on hormone replacement; or subjects with psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment
• • History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonitis (including drug induced), organizing pneumonia (i.e., bronchiolitis obliterans, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, etc.), or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest computed tomography (CT) scan.History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted \* Patients with a history of autoimmune hypothyroidism on a stable dose of thyroid replacement hormone are eligible \* Patients with controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus on a stable insulin regimen are eligible
• • Patients with known active tuberculosis
• • Major surgical procedure within 28 days prior to cycle 1, day 1 or anticipation of need for a major surgical procedure during the study
• • Administration of a live, attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks before cycle 1, day 1 or anticipation that such a live, attenuated vaccine will be required during the study and up to 5 months after the last dose of FWG
• • Must not have received live, attenuated influenza vaccine within 4 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1 or at any time during the study
• • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would interfere with patient safety or limit compliance with study requirements
• • Female subjects who are pregnant or breast-feeding
• • Any condition that would prohibit the understanding or rendering of informed consent in the opinion of the investigator
• • Prior intolerance to checkpoint inhibitor (CPi)-based therapies
• • Any medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the patient's safety or compliance while on trial