Computational prediction of gut enzymes that modify cancer drugs
Official title: Computational prediction of anti-cancer drug metabolizing enzymes in the human microbiome
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11363855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new computerized platform will predict which gut bacteria could change anti-cancer drugs, helping tailor safer and more effective treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $747,790 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA313882-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy whose gut microbiome could influence drug metabolism.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer treatment does not involve drugs affected by gut bacteria or who are not candidates for personalized dosing.
What this research studies
This project builds a computational system that links gut microbiome enzymes to cancer drugs they might modify, aiming to explain why patients respond differently. The team will expand a prototype platform called SIMMER to a scalable, disease-aware tool using chemical and protein similarities. The goal is to guide clinicians in selecting drugs and dosing that account for a patient’s gut bacteria, potentially reducing side effects and improving efficacy. The work combines computational modeling with existing biological data to map drug–microbe interactions and inform future experiments and clinical studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more personalized cancer therapy by predicting and mitigating microbiome-driven drug changes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown microbiome composition can impact drug responses, with this project advancing toward predictive tools for clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pollard, Katherine S. — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Pollard, Katherine S.
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.