In patients with advanced stomach cancer, receiving a stool transplant from an overweight donor changes the bacteria in the gut significantly, which shows that the donor's bacteria took hold.
See the scientific wording
Allogenic fecal microbiota transplantation from overweight or obese donors results in a significant alteration of fecal microbiota composition in patients with metastatic gastroesophageal cancer, as indicated by a P-value of 0.010, suggesting successful engraftment of the donor microbiota.
Very strong evidence
Randomized trialsOne good-quality study supports this claim.
What the research says
1 study reviewedSupporting (1)
Randomized Controlled TrialHuman2021
The study found that after receiving a stool transplant from overweight donors, the gut bacteria of cancer patients changed significantly, just like the claim says.
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting studies found yet
That doesn't mean it's settled — it just means no study has tested the opposite.
Quality-weighted scoring: we follow the GRADE framework — each study is rated High, Moderate, Low, or Very Low based on study design, methodology rigor, and risk of bias. A single high-quality RCT can outweigh several weaker observational studies.
Scores reflect study quality, not just count.
When a patient receives a stool transplant from an overweight or obese donor, the donor's gut bacteria are placed into the patient's intestines. These new bacteria settle in and grow, changing the mix of bacteria that the patient excretes in their stool. This change in the bacterial makeup can be detected and shows that the donor's bacteria have successfully taken root.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting study
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In patients with advanced stomach cancer, receiving a stool transplant from an overweight donor changes the bacteria in the gut significantly, which shows that the donor's bacteria took hold.
Mechanism
1 studyWhen patients with advanced stomach cancer receive a stool transplant from overweight or obese donors, the donor's gut bacteria enter the patient's intestines. These bacteria settle in and change the balance of bacteria, which is seen in the patient's stool. The change shows that the transplant worked.
When a patient receives a stool transplant from an overweight or obese donor, the donor's gut bacteria are placed into the patient's intestines. These new bacteria settle in and grow, changing the mix of bacteria that the patient excretes in their stool. This change in the bacterial makeup can be detected and shows that the donor's bacteria have successfully taken root.
Fecal microbiota transplantation introduces a large and diverse community of live bacteria from the donor's gut into the patient's gastrointestinal tract.
The donor bacteria colonize the patient's gut, competing with the existing resident bacteria and establishing a new microbial balance.
The engraftment of donor bacteria results in a significantly altered composition of the fecal microbiota, as measured by metagenomic sequencing, confirming successful transplantation.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
The study found that after receiving a stool transplant from overweight donors, the gut bacteria of cancer patients changed significantly, just like the claim says.
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
Score Breakdown
No multi-axis breakdown available yet. The overall Pro / Against score above is the best signal.
- No clinical evidence is available; the score reflects mechanistic plausibility only.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies examining FMT from overweight/obese donors in patients with metastatic gastroesophageal cancer, with outcomes including microbiota composition changes and engraftment success.
Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Allogenic Fecal Microbiota Transplantation from Overweight Donors versus Placebo in Metastatic Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients
A double-blind RCT with patients randomized to receive either allogenic FMT from overweight/obese donors or a placebo (e.g., sterile saline or sham transplant). Outcomes include fecal microbiota composition measured by 16S rRNA or shotgun sequencing at serial timepoints, and engraftment assessed via donor-strain tracking. Duration: at least 8 weeks of follow-up.
Prospective Cohort Study Assessing Fecal Microbiota Changes after FMT in Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients
A prospective cohort study following two groups of metastatic gastroesophageal cancer patients: those who receive FMT from overweight/obese donors and those who do not (or receive other treatments). Microbiota composition is assessed at baseline and multiple follow-up points (e.g., weeks 2, 4, 8, 12). Engraftment is evaluated via donor-specific strains.
Case-Control Study Examining Microbiota Composition in Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients Who Received FMT
A case-control study where cases are metastatic gastroesophageal cancer patients who have undergone FMT from overweight/obese donors, and controls are similar patients who have not. Microbiota composition is compared at a single timepoint post-FMT (e.g., 4 weeks) using 16S rRNA sequencing, adjusting for confounders like age, sex, and cancer stage.
Case Report of Successful Microbiota Engraftment After FMT in a Patient with Metastatic Gastroesophageal Cancer
A detailed case report documenting the clinical history, FMT procedure, donor details, and pre- and post-FMT microbiota analysis (e.g., shotgun metagenomics) demonstrating engraftment and compositional shift in one metastatic gastroesophageal cancer patient.