How gut bacteria can improve lung cancer treatment with immune therapy
Official title: Mechanism of microbiota-mediated potentiation of checkpoint blockade efficacy in lung cancer
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10894857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain good bacteria in your gut might help make lung cancer treatments work better, especially a type of therapy called anti-PD-1, and if you join, you could help researchers find out which bacteria are most helpful by providing samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $543,560 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255635-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are lung cancer patients undergoing or considering anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lung cancer who are not eligible for immune checkpoint blockade therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain gut bacteria may enhance the effectiveness of immune therapies for lung cancer, specifically focusing on the immune checkpoint blockade. The study aims to identify specific bacterial species and their products that can improve the body's response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. By understanding the mechanisms through which these bacteria operate, researchers hope to develop better predictive markers for treatment success and reduce the risk of autoimmune side effects. Patients may be involved in providing samples to help identify these beneficial microbes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients receiving immune therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results in leveraging gut microbiota to enhance cancer immunotherapy, suggesting this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Littman, Dan — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Littman, Dan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Intratumoral microbiota and immune predictors of response to immunotherapy in lung cancer
A scientist team will study whether specific microbes inside lung tumors and immune cells can predict who will respond to immunotherapy in lung cancer.
-
Lung bacteria linked to immune response and immunotherapy in lung cancer
Looks at whether certain bacteria in the lower airways are tied to how people with non-small cell lung cancer respond to PD-1 immunotherapy.
-
Predicting Immunotherapy Success for Lung Cancer
This project looks at bacteria inside tumors and immune cells to help predict which lung cancer patients will respond best to immunotherapy.
-
Understanding how gut bacteria improve lung cancer treatment
This project explores how certain gut bacteria might help immunotherapy work better for people with lung cancer and reduce side effects.
-
Understanding how gut bacteria and immune cells affect lung cancer treatment response
This study is looking at how the bacteria in lung tumors and the immune cells around them can help predict how well patients with advanced lung cancer will respond to immunotherapy, so we can better understand who might benefit from this treatment.
-
Understanding how lung bacteria affect cancer treatment response
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your lungs might affect how well immunotherapy works for non-small cell lung cancer, and it aims to find patterns that could help doctors tailor treatments just for you.
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.