Efficacy of probiotics and trimebutine maleate for abemaciclib-induced diarrhea: A randomized, open-label phase II trial (MERMAID, WJOG11318B).

Hiroko Masuda, Yuko Tanabe, Hitomi Sakai, Koji Matsumoto, Akihiko Shimomura, Mihoko Doi, Yasuo Miyoshi, Masato Takahashi, Yasuaki Sagara, Shinya Tokunaga, Tsutomu Iwasa, Naoki Niikura, Kenichi Yoshimura, Toshimi Takano, Junji Tsurutani

Journal: Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) 2023;71():22-28

PMID: 37459790

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Abemaciclib-induced diarrhea (AID) impairs quality of life (QOL) and treatment adherence in patients with breast cancer. Supportive treatment with loperamide is associated with constipation. We hypothesized that probiotics and trimebutine maleate (TM) would decrease the frequency of AID without causing constipation.

METHODS

Hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative advanced breast cancer patients were randomized into the probiotic Bifidobacterium (A) or probiotic Bifidobacterium and TM (B) groups. Endocrine therapy, Abemaciclib and probiotic Bifidobacterium three times a day for 28 days, was administered to both arms. Arm B was treated with TM upon the onset of diarrhea. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who experienced grade ≥2 diarrhea. The secondary endpoints were safety, frequency, and duration of all-grade diarrhea; frequency of emesis and constipation; usage of loperamide; and health-related QOL/patient-reported outcome during the study. We evaluated whether the primary endpoint of each arm exceeded the predetermined threshold.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients completed treatment. Grade 2 diarrhea occurred in 52% and 50% of patients in Arm A and Arm B, respectively. One patient experienced grade 3 diarrhea in each arm. The median duration of grade2 diarrhea was 2 and 2.5day, and only one patient required dose reduction. Grade ≥2 constipation was observed in 4% of Arm A and 3.6% of Arm B.

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotic Bifidobacterium or the combination of probiotic Bifidobacterium with TM did not decrease the incidence of grade 2 or greater diarrhea compared with historical control, although the grade 3 or greater diarrhea was reduced.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

jRCT (Japan registry of clinical trials). jRCTs031190154.

Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Address: Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.; Department of Medical Oncology, Toranomon Hospital, 2-2-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8470, Japan.; Advanced Cancer Translational Research Institute, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo,142-8555, Japan.; Medical Oncology Division, Hyogo Cancer Center, 13-70 Kitaoji-cho, Akashi-city Hyogo, 673-8558, Japan.; Department of Breast and Medical Oncology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.; Department of Clinical Oncology, Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital, 1-5-54 Ujinakanda Minami-ku Hiroshima-city Hiroshima, 734-8530, Japan.; Department of Surgery, Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho Nishinomiya-city Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan.; Department of Breast Surgery, Hokkaido University Hospital, Kita 14, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8648 Japan.; Department of Breast Surgery, Sagara Hospital, Kagoshima, 3-31 Matsubara-cho Kagoshima City, Kagoshima 892-0833, Japan.; Department of Medical Oncology, Osaka City General Hospital, 2-13-22 Miyakojima-hondori Miyakojima-ku Osaka 534-0021, Japan.; Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka City Osaka 577-8502, Japan.; Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara-shi Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.; Medical Center for Translational and Clinical Research, Hiroshima University Hospital, Kasumi 1-2-3 Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.; Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan.; Advanced Cancer Translational Research Institute, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo,142-8555, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].
Bant logo

© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence

NED wishes to thank the following organisations for their support:

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic with Google Analytics. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.