How gut bacteria change the way colorectal cancer drugs work
Metabolism of cancer chemotherapeutics by the human gut microbiome
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11212153
Testing whether common gut bacteria change how colorectal cancer drugs like 5‑FU and capecitabine work and cause side effects for people treated with these medicines.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11212153 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will study bacteria from the human gut to find which species, genes, and enzymes can break down fluoropyrimidine drugs such as 5‑FU and capecitabine. They will use lab assays and engineered mouse models, including germ‑free and xenograft mice, to see how those bacterial activities change drug levels and tumor responses. The team plans to identify specific bacterial taxa (for example, Anaerostipes) that inactivate these drugs and measure downstream effects on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Findings are intended to help explain why some patients get more benefit or more toxicity from these common colorectal cancer medicines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People receiving 5‑FU or capecitabine for colorectal cancer would be the most directly relevant patients for results and any future clinical follow‑up.
Not a fit: Patients not treated with fluoropyrimidine drugs or those with cancers unrelated to these medications are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to tests or microbiome interventions that predict or reduce side effects and improve how well fluoropyrimidine drugs work for individual patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human and laboratory studies suggest the gut microbiome can influence chemotherapy effects, but detailed mechanistic and causal evidence in mouse models is still limited.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TURNBAUGH, PETER JAMES — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: TURNBAUGH, PETER JAMES
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: Anti-Cancer Agents