Exploring the role of fungi in cancer development and treatment
Official title: The role of the mycobiome in cancer
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11019716 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain fungi in the body might affect colorectal cancer and how tumors grow and respond to treatments, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve cancer care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $508,693 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA286920-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019716 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who are interested in novel therapeutic strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers other than colorectal cancer may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how fungi, known as the mycobiome, interact with cancer cells, particularly in colorectal cancer. By examining the presence and activity of fungi in tumors, the study aims to understand their influence on tumor growth and response to therapies. The researchers will utilize advanced methodologies and animal models to identify specific fungal species and their effects on the immune system within the tumor environment. The goal is to uncover new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that could improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative approaches for diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer by targeting the mycobiome.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of bacteria in cancer has been studied, the investigation of the mycobiome is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iliev, Iliyan Dimitrov — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Iliev, Iliyan Dimitrov
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.