How MAIT immune cells and the gut microbiome work together to fight cancer
MAIT cell: microbiome crosstalk in antitumor immunity
Looking at whether certain gut microbes that activate MAIT immune cells help people with melanoma respond better to immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228414 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research will follow people with melanoma to collect blood, tumor, and stool samples before and after anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to measure MAIT cells and gut bacteria. The team will compare MAIT cell levels and activity in patients who respond to treatment versus those who do not. They will also use lab and animal models to test how bacteria that make riboflavin influence MAIT cells and tumor control. Together these steps aim to link specific microbes and MAIT-cell activity to treatment outcomes and suggest ways to boost responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with stage III or IV melanoma who are starting or receiving anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and can provide blood, stool, and tumor samples would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without melanoma or those not receiving immune checkpoint therapy, and patients unable to provide blood, stool, or tumor samples, would not benefit directly from joining this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict who will benefit from checkpoint immunotherapy and point to microbiome-based ways to improve responses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked gut microbiome patterns to immunotherapy response, but targeting MAIT-cell–microbiome interactions is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tobin, Richard — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Tobin, Richard
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.