How gut immune cells and microbes affect colorectal cancer
Innate lymphoid cell regulation of the host-microbiota interactions in cancer
This project looks at whether a type of gut immune cell helps control gut bacteria to slow colorectal cancer and make immunotherapy work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161618 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have colorectal cancer, this research looks at immune cells called ILC3s in the gut to see how they control the bacteria living there and affect tumor growth. The team will analyze tumor tissue and stool from patients and use laboratory models to track how ILC3s change during cancer and during immunotherapy. They will test whether restoring normal ILC3-microbiota interactions can reduce inflammation, slow tumors, and improve responses to checkpoint inhibitors. The goal is to find new treatment strategies or markers to help decide who will benefit from immunotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with colorectal cancer who can provide tumor tissue and stool samples, especially those receiving or planning to receive immunotherapy.
Not a fit: People without colorectal cancer or patients whose cancers are unrelated to gut microbiota interactions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to boost immunotherapy and slow colorectal cancer by targeting gut immune cells or the microbiota.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human and animal studies show gut microbes influence immunotherapy responses, but targeting ILC3-driven host-microbiota pathways is a newer approach with promising early data.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonnenberg, Gregory F — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Sonnenberg, Gregory F
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.