Gut microbiome, lifestyle, and colorectal neoplasia
Official title: The Gut Microbiome, Lifestyle, and Colorectal Neoplasia
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11394025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how gut bacteria, diet, and aspirin use interact to influence the development of colorectal polyps and cancer in diverse groups of people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $625,264 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA261961-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults involved in the NHS II or SCCS cohorts who have provided stool samples and have longitudinal lifestyle and clinical data available.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not enrolled in the referenced cohorts or without available stool/lifestyle data may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project will follow tens of thousands of participants from long-running studies to collect stool samples and lifestyle data, then examine how gut microbes and their metabolic products relate to colorectal neoplasia. By integrating dietary patterns, physical activity, aspirin use, and microbial signals, the study aims to identify drivers and passengers of tumor formation in a diverse population. The investigators will use prospective sample data to explore whether microbial changes predict, precede, or accompany adenoma development. Findings could point toward personalized prevention strategies and biomarkers for early detection. The work is anchored at Harvard School of Public Health with collaboration across large cohorts to ensure broad relevance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to prevent colorectal cancer through tailored lifestyle recommendations and microbiome-based biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior observational work has linked lifestyle and microbiome factors to colorectal neoplasia, but this large prospective, diverse-cohort study is among the first to integrate these elements at this scale.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Mingyang — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Song, Mingyang
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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.