The microbiome in blood cancer and HLH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using blood and stool samples from patients with blood cancer and/or haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis to study the influence of host microbial factors on toxicity and survival
IRAS ID
345229
Contact name
Mark Bishton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
14 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The bacteria and viruses in the bowel (gut microbiota; GM) have powerful effects on the immune system. GM changes are seen in patients with auto-immune diseases, where the immune system attacks normal tissues, and cancer, and for those with some forms of blood cancer, and appears to affect both responses to, and side-effects of treatment. We want to examine the GM and the associated small molecules (metabolites) in adults with different forms of blood cancer, particularly those undergoing immunotherapy, those with have newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma or myeloma, and also those with a severe hyperinflammatory disorder which causes problems similar to sepsis called Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which is also often caused by an underlying lymphoma. We want to collect blood and stool samples from patients and use the results of tests already performed in the NHS as well as recording how well patients responded to treatment. We want to use these samples to identify novel targets within the gut microbiota and associated metabolites which contribute to side effects of, or response to immunotherapy, or are responsible for causing HLH which can be targeted to make treatment better tolerated. For patients with newly diagnosed indolent lymphoma or myeloma we want to see if there are differences which may account for patients needing early or late treatment, or no treatment ever.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
25/WS/0002
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion