How gut bacteria and a 'primed' colon may drive colon polyps
Official title: The gut microbiome, interactions with primed colon states, and effects on adenoma formation and progression
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11412577 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether certain gut bacteria together with molecular changes in the colon make people more likely to develop colon polyps, especially for those at risk of colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $255,000 |
| NIH project number | 3U54CA274374-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412577 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults with a history of colorectal adenomas or people undergoing colonoscopy who can provide stool and tissue samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
People without colon conditions or who cannot provide the required biological samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will compare microbial DNA from people with different kinds of colon polyps and use special germ‑free (gnotobiotic) mice to see how those microbes affect polyp formation. They'll combine detailed metagenomic analysis with statistical methods to understand how a 'primed' colon (molecular changes that make the colon more vulnerable) and specific bacteria interact. The team will analyze samples from a unique human cohort to find microbial patterns linked to aggressive versus slow-growing adenomas. The long-term aim is to translate these findings into microbiome‑based prevention strategies to lower the risk of adenomas and colorectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new microbiome-based ways to prevent colon polyps and reduce colorectal cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked gut bacteria to colon polyps, but turning those links into proven prevention strategies is still new and not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dey, Neelendu — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Dey, Neelendu
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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.