Gut Microbiome, Adverse Effects, and Markers Through MEtabolic Reprogramming

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women worldwide. Many women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (ESBC) will receive systemic therapy consisting of cytotoxic chemotherapy. As therapy-related toxicities are the most common reason for non-completion or dose reduction of chemotherapy, new strategies are needed to mitigate adverse effects. Preclinical studies show that fasting can prevent toxic effects of oxidative stress and chemotherapy without causing chronic weight loss via modulation of key oncogenic pathways. A few studies in women with breast cancer have demonstrated that fasting around chemotherapy is safe and has the same or fewer expected toxicities, although the underlying biological mechanisms for these findings is unknown. A better understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of fasting interventions can lead to future interventions to enhance tolerability of chemotherapy and ultimately, maintaining intended chemotherapy dosing and schedule.

The primary objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of water-only fasting during chemotherapy (standard of care Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide (TC) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles or dose dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (ddAC) every 2 weeks for 4 cycles) in 30 patients with early stage breast cancer. Concomitant human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) therapy is allowed. The investigators designed a bed-to-bench feasibility study called the Gut microbiome, Adverse effects, and Markers through MEtabolic Reprogramming (GAMMER) study. Feasibility will be evaluated by the proportion of participants with self-reported adherence to the fasting regimen. The investigators will consider the fasting intervention to be feasible if there is evidence that at least 70% of patients (corresponding with 24 out of 30 patients) adhere to the intervention for at least 3 of 4 cycles of chemotherapy.

Prior to chemotherapy, patients will undergo a dose finding for fasting. A minimum of one successful 24 hour fast is required during this. A maximum of three trials is allowed. Participants have the option to progressively increase the fasting window by 12 hours each week as tolerated or to a maximum of 48 hours). Patients who are unable to adhere to at least a 24 hour fast during the dose finding phase will be replaced. Once patients have a fasting dose established, this will be the starting dose used for Cycle 1 of 4 of scheduled chemotherapy.

The investigators also aim to understand the impact of short-term fasting on quality of life, as well as key cytokines, metabolites and gut microbiome. Participants will complete patient reported outcomes (PROs) weekly. The investigators will collect fasting labs and research blood with each cycle of chemotherapy (4 instances). The investigators will also collect research bloods at baseline. The investigators will collect stool samples at baseline, and after fasting interventions for Cycle 1 and 3.

Through the proposed investigations the investigators will test the feasibility of a promising strategy to augment delivery of chemotherapy in a population at risk for toxicity for cancer therapy, and explore the mechanisms by which it may function. The long-term goals are to: enhance patient experience during chemotherapy, improve survival outcomes, and reduce disparities in survival between those who received recommended dose of chemotherapy versus those who require a dose reduction due to side effects. The study can potentially move the field forward by (a) identifying key cytokine, microbiome and metabolome changes associated with short-term fasting in ESBC and (b) improving survival outcomes in patients with ESBC.