Fungi in colorectal tumors and their effects on cancer
The role of the mycobiome in cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · NIH-11264843
This project looks at whether fungi living in and around colorectal tumors change how colon cancer grows and how it responds to treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11264843 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze tumor tissue from patients and mice using new methods to identify living, active fungi in colorectal cancers. They will test specific fungal species and fungal molecules in lab and animal models to see how these fungi influence tumor growth and response to cancer drugs. The team will study which immune cells and signaling molecules interact with fungi inside tumors. They will also compare fungal patterns with patient outcomes to see if the mycobiome can help predict progression or treatment response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with colorectal cancer who can donate tumor tissue and share clinical information would be the most relevant participants for this work.
Not a fit: People without colorectal cancer or patients whose tumors lack relevant fungal signals are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new diagnostic markers, ways to predict who will respond to therapy, or treatments that target harmful fungi to improve colorectal cancer outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Early research has found active fungi in colorectal tumors, but using fungal profiles to guide diagnosis or therapy is still new and largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- 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 below.