Fighting bacteria with bacteria: Impact of microbiome therapeutic SER-109 against recurrent CDI

Reviewed by Hannah Imlay, MD, MS, University of Utah

The impact of SER-109, an oral microbiome therapy comprised of purified Firmicutes spores intended to reduce recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI), was recently reported at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. SER-109 was given after use of standard antibiotic treatment of C. difficile infection (CDI) and reduced the rate of recurrent CDI (vs placebo) by week 8 in ECOSPOR III among adults with recurrent CDI. Results showed that 21.3% of patients in the SER group vs. 47.3% of patients in the placebo group had recurrent CDI through 24 weeks; the majority (65%) had a recurrence by week 4, with only 6% of recurrences occurring between week 12 and 24. There were no substantial differences in AEs or serious AEs in the SER-109 group. 

Reference:

• Cohen SH, Louie TJ, Sims M, Wang EEL, Memisoglu A, McGovern BH, von Moltke L. Extended Follow-up of Microbiome Therapeutic SER-109 Through 24 Weeks for Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection in a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022 Oct 19:e2216476. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.16476. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36260754; PMCID: PMC9582966.