Gut Bacteria and Cancer Immunotherapy
The role of the intestinal microbiome in cancer immunotherapy
This research explores how the bacteria in our gut can influence the success of cancer treatments like immunotherapy and stem cell transplants for patients with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143246 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are home to many different microbes, especially in the gut, and these gut bacteria can affect our health and how our immune system works. This project looks at how the specific types of bacteria in a patient's gut might impact their response to cancer treatments such as immunotherapy and stem cell transplants. Researchers are studying how changes in gut bacteria during treatment might lead to better or worse outcomes, with the goal of finding ways to improve these life-saving therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (stem cell transplant) for cancer may be ideal candidates for future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving cancer immunotherapy or stem cell transplants would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies and reduce complications from stem cell transplants by adjusting a patient's gut bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical and clinical studies have shown that gut bacteria can influence immune responses and patient outcomes in cancer treatment, and some findings have already moved into clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Den Brink, Marcel R M — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Van Den Brink, Marcel R M
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.