A new test using gut bacteria to assess prostate cancer risk
Official title: TOPIC NUMBER: 458 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE IONCOBIOMIX: MICROBIOME-BASED TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER RISK
Funded at Oncobiomix INC. · NIH-11195264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might help us better understand your risk of prostate cancer, and if you join, you could help create a new test that could catch prostate cancer earlier and reduce the need for extra procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oncobiomix INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | September 10, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 75N91024C00067-0-9999-1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men at risk for prostate cancer or those undergoing prostate cancer screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to assess the risk of prostate cancer by analyzing the gut microbiome. It aims to develop a microbiome signature score that evaluates specific gut bacteria associated with prostate cancer, providing a more accurate risk assessment compared to traditional PSA testing. The study will establish a standard operating procedure for this microbiome test, facilitating its clinical validation and potential commercialization. Patients participating in this research may contribute to the development of a tool that could improve early detection of prostate cancer while reducing unnecessary procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more accurate and less invasive method for assessing prostate cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using microbiome analysis for cancer risk assessment, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oncobiomix INC.
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leach, Charles — Oncobiomix INC.
- Study coordinator: Leach, Charles
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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.