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Investigation of β-hydroxybutyrate Supplementation as Chemoprevention in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
NCT06578637 · Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
In plain English
Click the button to translate this study into plain language — what it is, who qualifies, and what participation looks like.
About this study
We plan to undertake both an initial absorption study (Part A) in up to 9 individuals with FAP followed by a longitudinal open-label study (Part B) in up to 20 individuals with FAP, who will receive R-1,3-butanediol (HVMN Ketone-IQ), an orally administered BHB precursor. Participants with FAP in Part A will have a blood sample collected and then take R-1,3-butanediol at one of three different doses for 2 weeks, which will be followed by another blood sample collection. In Part B, participants with FAP will undergo colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy along with an upper endoscopy and will then receive R-1,3-butanediol. The participants will return at 4 weeks and 8 weeks for a blood draw and at that time will also provide a stool sample, and participants will check their ketone levels at home weekly. After 12 weeks of R-1,3-butanediol consumption, an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy will be performed, which will be the same as the procedure performed on study entry. At this point participants can be finished with the study, or they may have the option of continuing BHB for another 12 weeks in an extension study, followed by a repeat upper endoscopy and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy at 24 weeks.
Eligibility criteria
Part A
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Have a diagnosis of FAP with genetic testing demonstrating a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, must have a clinical FAP phenotype with at least one member of the family who has a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, or must have a clinical diagnosis of FAP as agreed by two gastrointestinal cancer genetics experts
2. Must have an extensive colonic resection with either a subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (STC-IRA) or total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (TPC-IPAA)
3. Can provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Subject is pregnant, a prisoner, or is under 18 years of age
2. Prior total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy
3. History of inflammatory bowel disease
4. History of diabetes mellitus and are currently on medical diabetes therapy
5. History of chronic kidney disease with an eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73m2
6. Cancer diagnosis where the subject is receiving active therapy
7. Use of either a ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting (defined as a fasting period of 16 hours or more per day that is not associated with a medical procedure) during the 4 weeks prior to enrollment
Part B
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Have a diagnosis of FAP with genetic testing demonstrating a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, must have a clinical FAP phenotype with at least one member of the family who has a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variant in APC, or must have a clinical diagnosis of FAP as agreed by two gastrointestinal cancer genetics experts.
2. Willing to undergo a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, which may be part of the patient's routine standard care.
3. Able to have a concurrent upper endoscopy performed with the colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. This upper endoscopy may be part of the patient's routine standard care.
4. Have at least two colorectal polyps at enrollment (which can be present anywhere in the colon including the rectal cuff, or in the J-pouch \[if applicable\]).
5. Can provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Subject is pregnant, a prisoner, or is under 18 years of age
2. Patient is not able to undergo colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy or upper endoscopy
3. Prior total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy
4. History of inflammatory bowel disease
5. History of diabetes mellitus and are currently on medical diabetes therapy
6. History of chronic kidney disease with an eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73m2
7. Cancer diagnosis where the subject is receiving active therapy
8. Use of either a ketogenic diet or intermittent fasting (defined as a fasting period of 16 hours or more per day that is not associated with a medical procedure) during the 4 weeks prior to enrollment
9. Regular use of any FAP-related chemopreventive agent in the 6 weeks prior to enrollment including aspirin (\> 81mg daily), NSAIDs, BHB supplementation, or any other medication deemed a chemopreventive agent by the study investigators
10. Any colonic or small intestinal polyp observed endoscopically that is \> 1 cm in size and is not removed (excluding ampullary adenomas)
Study design
Enrollment target: 20 participants
Allocation: non_randomized
Masking: none
Age groups: adult, older_adult
Timeline
Starts: 2024-09-20
Estimated completion: 2027-10
Last updated: 2025-09-04
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (10G-A)Dietary Supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (20G-A)Dietary Supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (30G-A)Dietary Supplement: R-1,3-Butanediol (30G-B)
Primary outcomes
- • Determine whether oral BHB supplementation is safe and tolerable in FAP (Through study completion, which will be approximately 3 years)
Sponsor
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · other
With: The V Foundation for Cancer Research
Contacts & investigators
ContactBryson W Katona, MD, PhD · contact · bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu · 215-349-8222
InvestigatorBryson W Katona, MD, PhD · principal_investigator, University of Pennsylvania
All locations (1)
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of PennsylvaniaRecruiting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States