How gut microbes get into and live inside colorectal tumors
Deciphering the Critical Determinants of Enteric and Tumor Niche Colonization by Microbes in Colorectal Cancer
Researchers are looking at how the mouth bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum finds and lives in colorectal tumors and how that affects people with colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259554 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium found more often in colorectal tumors than in normal colon tissue. Researchers will analyze tumor and stool samples from patients and use lab and animal models to see how the bacterium homes to and survives in tumor niches. They will study how the microbe changes the immune environment within tumors and whether those changes help the cancer grow or resist treatment. The team aims to find ways to block or remove harmful bacteria so treatments could work better for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with colorectal cancer who can provide tumor tissue or stool samples, especially those undergoing surgery or biopsy, are the ideal candidates to contribute to this work.
Not a fit: People without colorectal cancer or whose tumors do not harbor Fusobacterium are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to prevent or remove tumor-associated bacteria and improve therapy responses for colorectal cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked Fusobacterium in tumors with worse outcomes and early work suggests changing the microbiome can affect disease, but detailed mechanistic approaches are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnston, Christopher D — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Johnston, Christopher D
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.