Exploring how gut bacteria relate to breast cancer recurrence and survival
Official title: Gut Microbiome Profiles in Association with Breast Cancer Recurrence and Mortality
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10951958 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect breast cancer recovery and survival, especially after treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to see if changes in these bacteria can help improve health outcomes for survivors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $175,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03CA292953-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951958 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients, particularly African American individuals and those from low- and middle-income countries, who have undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer or those who have not undergone any form of cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between gut microbiome profiles and breast cancer outcomes, particularly focusing on recurrence and mortality rates among patients. It aims to understand how chemotherapy and radiotherapy affect gut bacteria and how these changes may influence long-term health outcomes for breast cancer survivors. By analyzing gut microbiome data from patients before and after treatment, the study seeks to identify potential interventions that could improve cancer prognosis. The research will utilize advanced sequencing techniques to gather detailed information about the gut microbiota.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing breast cancer recurrence and improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of gut microbiota in cancer treatment is an emerging field, previous studies have shown promising results in understanding its impact on treatment efficacy, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Sang Minh — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Sang Minh
Related research
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-
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Using gene expression to identify patients at high risk for late breast cancer recurrence
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A new program tests ways to boost chemotherapy given before surgery to lower the chance that breast cancer comes back, especially focusing on groups that have had worse outcomes.
-
FoRtitude: an online program to ease fear of cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors
A woman who has finished breast cancer treatment uses an online program to learn easy CBT-based steps to feel less worried about cancer coming back.
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.