Gut microbe chemicals that help the immune system fight breast cancer
Role of microbially-derived metabolites in anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR · NIH-11227225
This project sees whether chemicals made by gut bacteria—especially after bariatric surgery—can boost the immune system to reduce breast cancer and improve response to immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MEMPHIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11227225 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying chemicals produced by gut microbes, such as bile acids and branched-chain amino acids, that change after weight-loss surgery. They use human samples, humanized mouse models, and fecal transplants from surgery donors to non-surgical recipients to track effects on immune cells like NKT cells and on tumor growth. The team is also testing an FDA-approved drug that activates the bile acid receptor FXR to mimic beneficial signaling. Measurements include blood and gut metabolites, immune cell activity, and tumor burden to link microbiome changes to anti-tumor immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with breast cancer—particularly those who are overweight or have had bariatric surgery—or patients considering immunotherapy who might be eligible for related translational studies.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or whose tumors are not driven by immune mechanisms are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to boost anti-tumor immunity or improve immunotherapy for breast cancer by targeting the gut microbiome or its metabolites.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and early translational work, including fecal microbiota transfers and FXR-targeting drug repurposing, have shown promising tumor reductions and improved anti‑PD‑1 responses, but patient-directed application remains early.
Where this research is happening
MEMPHIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR — MEMPHIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MAKOWSKI-HAYES, LIZA — UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR
- Study coordinator: MAKOWSKI-HAYES, LIZA
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.
Conditions: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Cell, Breast Cancer Model, Breast Cancer Patient, Breast Cancer Risk Factor