The Effect of Diet and Exercise on ImmuNotherapy and the Microbiome (EDEN)

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Background: The human gut microbiome is a topic of growing research interest because it modulates many systems, including immune function; and, alterations of the microbiome have been associated with the development of many diseases, including cancer. Optimization of the gut microbiome can increase ...

Background: The human gut microbiome is a topic of growing research interest because it modulates many systems, including immune function; and, alterations of the microbiome have been associated with the development of many diseases, including cancer. Optimization of the gut microbiome can increase the probability of responding to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with responders exhibiting a higher level of gut microbial diversity than non-responders. Therefore, efforts are underway to investigate the effects of modulating the microbiome on response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Diet is a major modulator of the gut microbiome. In particular, a high-fiber, plant-based diet promotes greater gut microbial diversity while diets high in animal fats and protein are associated with lower gut microbial diversity. Exercise has been shown to increase gut microbial diversity independent of diet in both mice and humans. In addition, exercise has long been known to lower cancer risk and improve outcomes in cancer patients, possibly through its ability to enhance immune function. Although diet and exercise prescriptions are cost-effective and implementable on a large scale, poor compliance is a major issue. Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) can help improve participant engagement and compliance with lifestyle change recommendations. In previously untreated, unresectable melanoma participants, we hypothesize that the combination of a high-fiber, plant-based diet and exercise will increase gut microbial diversity and potentially increase the probability of responding to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of conducting a decentralized clinical trial involving diet and exercise prescriptions with stool sample collections in previously untreated, unresectable melanoma participants who will be undergoing anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy Eligibility: Adults with previously untreated and unresectable melanoma who will be undergoing anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy. Adequate organ function as defined by the liver, kidney, and hematologic laboratory testing. Participants who have recently used antibiotics, probiotics, fiber supplements, or any other products/medications that can significantly alter the gut microbiome will be excluded. Design: Feasibility trial wherein participants will be randomized in a 1-to-1 fashion to the following arms: Intervention Arm: 30 participants will be instructed to adopt a high-fiber, plant-based diet and to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week. Control Arm: 30 participants will be educated on general healthy eating and exercise guidelines, but they will not be instructed to change their behavior. All participants will be asked to periodically record dietary intake (in the MyFitnessPal app or other logs, if needed), to wear a Garmin (trademark) physical activity tracker, and to collect stool samples periodically. Feasibility will be determined by assessing whether greater than or equal to 60% of participants in each arm adhere to their respective protocols.

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