Gut and Immune System Connections in Bladder Cancer as We Age
Official title: Role of Gut-Immune Interactions in Aging-Associated Bladder Cancer
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11166641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how changes in the gut and immune system contribute to bladder cancer in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $162,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K22CA270075-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit older adults who are at risk for or have bladder cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by bladder cancer or those who are not in the older age group may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
What this research studies
Bladder cancer often affects older individuals, who may face challenges with standard treatments due to other health conditions. This project looks at how aging leads to increased inflammation and changes in the gut's natural bacteria, which might make bladder cancer more aggressive. By understanding these connections, we hope to find new ways to help older patients with bladder cancer. The work uses animal models to understand these complex interactions and translate findings to human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat bladder cancer, especially for older patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the link between aging, inflammation, and the gut microbiome has been observed in other cancers, its specific role in bladder cancer in older adults is less understood and is a novel area of focus for mechanistic studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woolbright, Benjamin Leland — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Woolbright, Benjamin Leland
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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.