NIH-funded research R01 grant

Gut bacteria changes after bariatric surgery and colorectal cancer risk

Official title: Gut microbiota-related mechanisms that impact colorectal cancer risk after bariatric surgery

Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11401981 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study will follow adults who had bariatric surgery to understand how changes in the gut microbiome and bile acids might influence colorectal cancer risk.

More Colorectal Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project startSeptember 7, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$724,422
NIH project number5R01CA275864-04
Project IDNIH-11401981 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults who have undergone bariatric surgery and are being followed in the Vanderbilt cohort, with available biospecimens and health data.

Less likely to help

People without bariatric surgery or lacking longitudinal biospecimens may not benefit from this study.

What this research studies

Researchers will build on an existing bariatric surgery cohort to track gut bacteria, bile acids, and related health data over time, including blood and stool samples and information about diet and medications. They will look for patterns that connect post-surgery gut changes with colorectal cancer risk, aiming to identify signals that might raise or lower risk. The study uses regular biospecimen collection and patient information to understand how long-term microbiome shifts after surgery relate to cancer risk. This is designed to translate findings into ways to monitor and potentially reduce risk for people who have had bariatric surgery.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to personalized monitoring and strategies to reduce colorectal cancer risk after bariatric surgery.

How similar studies have gone: Prior research links gut microbiota and bile acids with cancer risk, but long-term post-surgery patterns specific to colorectal cancer risk need confirmation.

Where this research is happening

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Yu, Danxia — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Yu, Danxia

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.