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  1. Home
  2. Fecal microbiota transplant
  3. Expert Interview : Pr Harry Sokol
The power of your gut

Expert Interview : Pr Harry Sokol

Fecal transplant
The gut microbiota Fecal transplant

Professor Harry Sokol is a hepatogastroenterologist at the Saint- Antoine Hospital (Paris, France). He is also the chairman of the French Group of Fecal Microbiota Transplant (GFTF). Though he understands why this therapeutic approach– still in its infancy–is gaining popularity, he explains the obstacles it is facing.

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Image_DT FMT H Sokol Prof Harry Sokol
Created 19 December 2019
Updated 12 August 2024
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Image_DT FMT H Sokol

Fecal microbiota transplant: a miracle cure?

The frenzy surrounding fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is real and it needs to be slowed down a bit: some patients have unrealistic expectations regarding the benefits of FMT in their particular case. Every week I receive dozens of letters about anything and everything. However, FMT is a not a magical cure! For now, it is indicated to treat a single disease: recurrent C. difficile infection. For all other indications, it is just a potential therapeutic avenue which cannot replace current treatments. Moreover, the future most likely lies in treatments combining stool transplant (or other therapies that target the microbiota) and more standard treatments that target the immune system, for instance.

Why does C. difficile respond that well to fecal microbiota transplant?

This infection is almost exclusively related to a disruption in the gut microbiota, while in other diseases, the role of the gut microbiota–although presumed– is only one of several contributing factors and its importance probably varies significantly from one disease to another. For instance, in the case of ulcerative colitis, for which we have the strongest data: clinical trials indicate a 20 to 30% rate of remission within a 8-12 week period; which is good, but very far from the results obtained in C. difficile infections (near 90%). This clearly shows that other factors (immune, genetic...) also play a role.

Are there obstacles to the development of clinical research focused on FMT?

Research on FMT is still at a very early stage since it started less than 10 years ago; which is why we must take the time needed to assess it properly. In France, the handling of feces is subjected to major regulations and the selection of donors is strictly regulated. As a result, clinical trials are expensive and require complex logistics. In addition, since hospitals do not automatically assign a budget to FMT, the mobilization of health professionals varies from one facility to another, thus depriving researchers from a specific structure to rely on. It is time for public authorities to better understand this issue and to invest in order to provide hospitals with the means to develop this line of research. In Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (Paris public hospital system), we hope to quickly see the emergence of a structured approach to FMT in the healthcare system.

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Microbiome Flora

    See also

    Image1_Article5_DTO Fecal transplant: a promising route?
    Actu GP : Mieux définir les banques de selles pour déployer la greffe Improving the definition of stool banks to promote the widespread adoption of FMT
    Focus
    Fecal microbiota transplant
    • What is FMT?
      • The mechanism of FMT: transplanting to restore the balance
      • FMT, in practice: from the donor to the side effects
    • Proven efficacity for a single indication
      • Recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis: the only validated indication
    • What about tomorrow
      • Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and FMT
      • Functional gastrointestinal disorders : digestive symptoms
      • Hepatic encephalopathy
      • Metabolic disorders and FMT
      • Expert Interview : Pr Harry Sokol
    Created 19 December 2019
    Updated 12 August 2024

    About this article

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    Main topic

    Fecal transplant

    Related microbiotas

    The gut microbiota

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    Fecal transplant

    Author

    Image_DT FMT H Sokol Prof Harry Sokol
    Metabolic disorders and FMT
    Focus

    Fecal microbiota transplant

    What is FMT?

    The mechanism of FMT: transplanting to restore the balance FMT, in practice: from the donor to the side effects

    Proven efficacity for a single indication

    Recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis: the only validated indication

    What about tomorrow

    Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and FMT Functional gastrointestinal disorders : digestive symptoms Hepatic encephalopathy Metabolic disorders and FMT Expert Interview : Pr Harry Sokol
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