Fecal microbiota transplantation in hematopoietic cell transplant and cellular therapy recipients: lessons learned and the path forward

Disruptions to the gut microbiota have been associated with adverse outcomes including graft-versus-host disease, infections, and mortality after hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy. Evidence for causal links is accumulating, thus supporting therapeutic interventions targeting the microbiota with the goal of preventing and treating adverse outcomes. One such intervention is fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) by which an entire community of gut microbiota is transferred to the patient with dysbiosis. As this approach in transplant and cellular therapy recipients is still in its infancy, no best approach has been defined and many open questions need to be addressed before FMT becomes a standard treatment. In this review, we highlight microbiota-outcome associations with the highest level of evidence, provide an overview of the main FMT trials, and suggest some paths forward.

Automated summary

Disruptions to the gut microbiota have been linked to adverse outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a potential therapeutic intervention, but more research is needed before it can be considered a standard treatment. This review examines the evidence for microbiota-outcome associations, highlights the main FMT trials, and suggests future paths for research.