Oral bacteria and brain metastasis: how the mouth may influence brain tumors
Official title: The role of oral microbiota in metastatic brain tumors
Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11527242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how oral microbes may affect brain metastases and patient outcomes, with potential to guide new microbiome-based approaches.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00CA296780-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11527242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with brain metastases or at risk of brain metastasis who can provide tissue samples and participate in analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to sample donation or those not meeting study criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how bacteria from the mouth might interact with brain cancer that has spread, aiming to understand whether changes in the oral microbiome influence tumor behavior and the brain’s immune environment. Researchers will examine bacterial signals inside brain metastasis tissues and compare them with oral bacteria to see how they might shape immune responses over time. By using patient samples and relevant models, the study seeks to identify targets for accessible, low-cost microbiome strategies to support brain cancer care. The goal is to translate these findings into ways to improve treatment and survival for adults facing brain metastases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to microbiome-guided approaches that support the immune system and improve outcomes for patients with brain metastases.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown brain metastases harbor bacterial signals and a link between oral microbiota and brain tumor environments, suggesting potential for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morad, Golnaz — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Morad, Golnaz
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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.