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Adding a Probiotic (CBM588) to Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Renal Cell Cancer after Surgery

Trial Status: active

This phase II trial compares the effect of adding a probiotic called CBM588 to pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone in preventing return of disease (recurrence) after surgery for patients with renal cell cancer. Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies such as pembrolizumab may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Pembrolizumab is approved for the treatment of renal cell cancer after surgery. Research has shown that changes to the composition of the healthy bacteria in the body (the microbiome), may improve a patient's response to treatment with immunotherapy. CBM588, a probiotic supplement containing a bacteria called Clostridium butyricum, has been shown to improve outcomes in patients treated with immunotherapy for other types of cancer. Adding CBM588 to treatment with pembrolizumab after surgery may cause changes in the microbiome that improve patient response to treatment and reduce disease recurrence, compared to pembrolizumab alone.