How a gut bacterium might help the immune system fight colon cancer
Identifying the mechanism of anti-colorectal immunity induced by mucoinvasive colonic bacteria
This project looks at whether a gut bacterium called Helicobacter hepaticus can boost immune defenses against colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235909 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models to study how a single gut bacterium affects colorectal tumors. They add Helicobacter hepaticus to mice with established colon tumors and measure changes in tumor size, immune cell activity, and the formation of nearby immune structures called tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). The team focuses on CD4 T cells and B cells, especially T follicular helper cells, to see which immune players are required for the anti-tumor effect. Because this work begins in animals and lab tissues, any human treatments would require further testing and clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with colorectal cancer, especially those whose tumors do not respond to current immunotherapy, are the population most likely to benefit from the findings in the long term.
Not a fit: People without colorectal cancer or those with severe immune-suppressing conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new microbiome-based or immune-focused approaches to help people with colorectal cancer respond better to therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies from the same group showed Helicobacter hepaticus reduced tumor burden and increased TLS near tumors, but translating these findings into safe, effective human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hand, Timothy Wesley — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Hand, Timothy Wesley
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.