How Gut Bacteria Influence Prostate Cancer Treatment
Official title: Defining the Mechanistic Basis of Bacterial Androgen Production in Dampening Anti-Tumor Immunity and Promoting Resistance to Androgen Receptor Axis-Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11124826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how bacteria in the gut might make prostate cancer treatments less effective for men with advanced disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $644,763 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287126-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124826 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for men with advanced prostate cancer, especially those whose disease has become resistant to standard androgen-blocking treatments or immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or other types of cancer not related to androgen receptor pathways may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
We know that the bacteria living in our gut can influence how well cancer treatments work, including those for prostate cancer. This project aims to discover the specific ways these gut bacteria might produce hormones called androgens. These androgens could then interfere with therapies designed to block androgen receptors, which are important for prostate cancer growth. By understanding this connection, we hope to find new ways to make current prostate cancer treatments more powerful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies, such as modifying gut bacteria, to improve the effectiveness of existing prostate cancer therapies and overcome treatment resistance.
How similar studies have gone: While the general link between the microbiome and cancer therapy is being explored, this specific mechanism of bacterial androgen production affecting prostate cancer treatment resistance is a novel and less understood area.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sfanos, Karen Sandell — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sfanos, Karen Sandell
Related research
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A multi-year study at a major university will explore how metastatic prostate cancer changes its cell type and how to target those changes to help patients.
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How gut bacteria may affect prostate cancer therapy and resistance
A new study looks at how gut bacteria make compounds that influence prostate cancer treatments and may drive resistance to therapy.
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.