A new oral drug that enhances cancer treatment by using gut bacteria.
Official title: A Novel Microbiome-Based Immune-Modulator that Potentiates Cancer Checkpoint Therapy
Funded at Rise Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-10854788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new oral drug called R-5780 to see if it can help boost the effectiveness of cancer treatments for patients with metastatic melanoma, lung, and kidney cancers by using helpful bacteria from the gut to improve their immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rise Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rockville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $171,480 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA261509-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10854788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly those with metastatic melanoma, lung, or kidney cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy or those with cancers not targeted by this approach may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an oral drug called R-5780, which utilizes microbiome-associated Pattern Recognition Receptors to improve the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy. The drug is derived from a unique enzyme found in a specific strain of bacteria, Enterococcus faecium, which has shown potential in enhancing immune responses against tumors. By engaging the gut microbiome, the research aims to uncover how certain beneficial bacteria can improve patient responses to existing cancer treatments, particularly for those with metastatic melanoma, lung, and kidney cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, leading to better treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that specific strains of Enterococci can improve responses to cancer immunotherapy, suggesting a promising avenue for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rise Therapeutics, LLC
Rockville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fanger, Gary — Rise Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Fanger, Gary
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.