Investigating how gut bacteria affect colitis caused by cancer treatments

Microbiota-Immune Interactions in CTLA-4 Antibody Blockade-Induced Colitis

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11119028

This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut and your immune system work together when you're getting a specific cancer treatment, to see why some people develop colitis, which is a painful inflammation that can interrupt their therapy, and the goal is to find ways to prevent or manage this issue for patients like you.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11119028 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the interactions between gut microbiota and the immune system in patients receiving CTLA-4 antibody treatments for cancer. It aims to understand how these treatments can lead to colitis, a severe inflammatory condition that may force patients to stop their cancer therapy. By using specially designed mice that mimic human gut bacteria, the study will investigate the immune pathways involved in this adverse effect. The findings could help identify ways to prevent or manage colitis in patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients receiving CTLA-4 antibody treatments who may be at risk for developing colitis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving CTLA-4 antibody treatments or those without a history of immune-related adverse events may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved management of colitis in cancer patients, allowing them to continue their life-saving treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding microbiota-immune interactions can lead to significant advancements in managing immune-related adverse events in cancer therapy.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.