The Effect of Oral Clostridium Butyricum on the Recurrence After Colonoscopic Resection of Colorectal Adenoma

The Effect of Oral Clostridium Butyricum on the Recurrence After Colonoscopic Resection of Colorectal Adenoma - A Multicenter, Double-blinded, Differential Design, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study

The prevention of recurrence after colorectal adenoma resection remains an urgent medical issue to be addressed. Previous studies have mainly focused on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, calcium supplements, and vitamins. The gut microbiota and its metabolic products are believed to play a potential role in the development and progression of colorectal adenomas. Clostridium butyricum, a butyrate-producing probiotic, has not yet been studied for its potential in preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenomas following resection. Therefore, this study, designed as a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial, aims to explore evidence-based data on the role of Clostridium butyricum in preventing colorectal adenoma recurrence.

Statistical Analysis Plan the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (all randomized participants analyzed according to the randomized assignment)-the primary analysis set; the per-protocol (PP) population (participants with ≥80% treatment compliance and no major protocol violations)-used for confirmatory efficacy consistency testing; and the safety analysis (SA) population (all randomized participants exposed to the investigational product or placebo with post-intervention safety data)-used for all safety evaluations.

Primary Outcome Analysis Due to the asymptomatic nature of colorectal adenoma recurrence, which can only be detected at scheduled annual colonoscopic examinations, the time to recurrence is considered interval-censored data (i.e., the exact recurrence time is unknown, only that it occurred within a 12-month window between two consecutive colonoscopies). Given this data characteristic, the 3-year cumulative CRA recurrence rate will be estimated using the life table method, which divides follow-up time into 12-month intervals (0-12, 12-24, 24-36 months). Between-group comparisons of recurrence-free survival will be performed using the stratified log-rank test (stratified by participating center). Hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be estimated using a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. To ensure the robustness of the findings, sensitivity analyses using the Turnbull algorithm (an extension of the Kaplan-Meier method for interval-censored data) will also be conducted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 75 years
• No restriction on sex
• Boston Bowel Preparation Score (BBPS) ≥ 7 prior to endoscopic procedure
• Completed endoscopic resection of colorectal adenomas (including cold snare polypectomy, ESD, EMR, etc.) with no residual adenomas or polyps observed endoscopically
• Histologically confirmed adenomas (including tubular, villous, or tubulovillous types) without malignant transformation
• Able to take oral medication
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, or antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to enrollment
• Presence of psychiatric disorders or other conditions preventing compliance with the intervention
• Dysfunction of vital organs (liver, kidney, heart, etc.) deemed unsuitable for clinical study participation after evaluation
• Participation in other clinical trials within 3 months prior to enrollment
• History of gastrointestinal surgery (excluding endoscopic procedures)
• History of inflammatory bowel disease
• History of autoimmune diseases
• Long-term use of aspirin (≥100 mg/day for over 3 months) or calcium supplements (≥1200 mg/day for over 3 months)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Previous treatment for colorectal adenomas (including endoscopic or surgical resection)
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)