Investigation of β-hydroxybutyrate Supplementation as Chemoprevention in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Last updated: July 15, 2025
Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Colon Polyps

Colorectal Cancer

Colon Cancer

Treatment

R-1,3-Butanediol (10MG-A)

R-1,3-Butanediol (10MG-B)

R-1,3-Butanediol (20MG-B)

Clinical Study ID

NCT06578637
UPCC 08224
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of BHB supplementation as a novel strategy to impede the development and progression of intestinal adenomas in individuals with FAP, thus potentially reducing the need for frequent upper endoscopies and colonoscopies and preventing the need for risk-reducing surgical intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Part A

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Have a diagnosis of FAP with genetic testing demonstrating a pathogenic or likelypathogenic germline variant in APC, must have a clinical FAP phenotype with at leastone member of the family who has a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variantin APC, or must have a clinical diagnosis of FAP as agreed by two gastrointestinalcancer genetics experts

  2. Must have an extensive colonic resection with either a subtotal colectomy withileorectal anastomosis (STC-IRA) or total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch analanastomosis (TPC-IPAA)

  3. Can provide informed consent

Exclusion

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 periodof 16 hours or more per day that is not associated with a medical procedure) duringthe 4 weeks prior to enrollment

Part B

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Have a diagnosis of FAP with genetic testing demonstrating a pathogenic or likelypathogenic germline variant in APC, must have a clinical FAP phenotype with at leastone member of the family who has a pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variantin APC, or must have a clinical diagnosis of FAP as agreed by two gastrointestinalcancer genetics experts.

  2. Willing to undergo a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, which may be part of thepatient's routine standard care.

  3. Able to have a concurrent upper endoscopy performed with thecolonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. This upper endoscopy may be part of the patient's routinestandard care.

  4. Have at least two colorectal polyps at enrollment (which can be present anywhere inthe 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 periodof 16 hours or more per day that is not associated with a medical procedure) duringthe 4 weeks prior to enrollment

  9. Regular use of any FAP-related chemopreventive agent in the 6 weeks prior toenrollment including aspirin (> 81mg daily), NSAIDs, BHB supplementation, or anyother medication deemed a chemopreventive agent by the study investigators

  10. Any colonic or small intestinal polyp observed endoscopically that is > 1 cm in sizeand is not removed (excluding ampullary adenomas)

Study Design

Total Participants: 20
Treatment Group(s): 7
Primary Treatment: R-1,3-Butanediol (10MG-A)
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 20, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
October 31, 2027

Study Description

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.

Connect with a study center

  • Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.