How the gut microbiome affects cancer treatment with chemotherapy drugs.
Official title: Metabolism of cancer chemotherapeutics by the human gut microbiome
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10991101 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut affect the way your body processes a common cancer drug called 5-Fluorouracil, with the hope of helping doctors create more personalized treatment plans that work better for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $129,622 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA255116-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991101 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing treatment with 5-Fluorouracil or similar chemotherapy agents.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving chemotherapy or those with microbiome-related disorders unrelated to cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the human gut microbiome metabolizes cancer chemotherapy drugs, specifically focusing on 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). By analyzing the interactions between gut bacteria and these drugs, the study aims to understand how these interactions can influence drug effectiveness and toxicity. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to personalized chemotherapy regimens based on their microbiome composition. The research employs biochemical analyses and patient samples to explore these relationships over a five-year period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized cancer treatment strategies, minimizing side effects and improving outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in drug metabolism, suggesting potential for breakthroughs in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turnbaugh, Peter James — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Turnbaugh, Peter James
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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.