Resistant Potato Starch for Breast Cancer

(AIMSS-RPS Trial)

This trial explores whether a dietary supplement called resistant potato starch can reduce joint pain and stiffness in individuals with stage 0-III breast cancer or those at high risk who are starting aromatase inhibitor therapy. Aromatase inhibitors treat or prevent breast cancer but may cause uncomfortable bone and muscle symptoms. Resistant potato starch might enhance beneficial gut bacteria, potentially easing these symptoms. Individuals planning to start aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer or due to high risk, and who experience joint pain, may be suitable for this study. Participants will take the supplement daily for 24 weeks. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering a chance to potentially benefit from innovative therapy.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it allows certain therapies like gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, anti-osteoclast therapy, anti-HER2 therapy, ribociclib, and PARP inhibitors. However, you cannot use abemaciclib, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or prebiotics during the study.

Research shows that resistant potato starch is usually well-tolerated. Studies have found that it supports gut health by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria. A healthy gut may help reduce symptoms like joint pain or stiffness, which some people experience when taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer.

Resistant Potato Starch (RPS) is unique because it offers a dietary approach to support breast cancer care, unlike traditional treatments that typically include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Researchers are excited about RPS because it serves as a form of supportive care that may enhance the body's natural defenses against cancer by altering gut microbiota and improving metabolic health. This approach, taken orally once a day, is non-invasive and emphasizes wellness and nutritional support, potentially offering a complementary benefit to existing treatments without adding significant toxicity.

Research has shown that resistant potato starch might help reduce joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors, which often cause these symptoms. In this trial, participants will receive resistant potato starch as part of their supportive care. Studies suggest that this type of starch supports healthy gut bacteria, potentially easing these symptoms. Foods like boiled potatoes, which contain resistant starch, have been linked to lower breast cancer risks. Early research in healthy individuals also indicates that resistant potato starch can improve gut health. These findings suggest that resistant potato starch might effectively manage symptoms related to aromatase inhibitor treatment.¹²³⁴⁶