NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

How gut bacteria influence cancer treatment outcomes

Official title: The role of the intestinal microbiome in cancer immunotherapy

Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-10890871 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut can help make cancer treatments work better, especially after certain types of transplants, and it’s for patients who want to improve their treatment outcomes through things like gut health and careful use of antibiotics.

More Immunotherapy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeckman Research Institute/city of Hope
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Duarte, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2030
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$1,014,601
NIH project number5R35CA284024-03
Project IDNIH-10890871 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not receiving immunotherapy or those with conditions unrelated to the microbiome's influence on cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the intestinal microbiome in enhancing the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, particularly after procedures like allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. It examines how the composition of gut bacteria can affect immune responses, including T cell activity against tumors. The study includes clinical trials that explore interventions such as fecal microbiota transplants and careful management of antibiotic use to improve patient outcomes. By understanding these relationships, the research aims to optimize cancer treatment strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatment outcomes by harnessing the power of the gut microbiome.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in manipulating the gut microbiome to improve cancer treatment outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
    Duarte, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Van Den Brink, Marcel R M — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
  • Study coordinator: Van Den Brink, Marcel R M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.