Oral Microbiome–Based Aid to Immunotherapy for Refractory Solid Tumors
Official title: Clinical Validation of a Synthetic Biology-Based Microbial Medicine to Treat Immunotherapy Refractory Solid Tumors
Funded at Rise Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11399439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mouth-to-tumor therapy using a probiotic-like approach to help immune checkpoint drugs work better for patients whose solid tumors don’t respond well to current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rise Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rockville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 16, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $740,140 |
| NIH project number | 1R44CA306440-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with solid tumors that have not responded adequately to current immunotherapy options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not respond to microbiome-mediated approaches or who cannot tolerate the sensory/microbial components may derive little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a first-in-human oral immunotherapy, R-5780, derived from a gut bacterium to boost immune checkpoint inhibitors. By engaging microbiome-related immune pathways, it seeks to enhance PD-1 and CTLA-4–targeting therapies in patients with cancers that are resistant to immunotherapy. The work builds on prior steps showing SagA enzyme can shape gut-immune signaling and improve anti-tumor effects in animal models. If successful, the therapy could become an adjunct to existing cancer immunotherapies to broaden and deepen responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience stronger responses to immunotherapy and potentially improved tumor control.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies and microbiome-immunotherapy research suggest potential benefits, supporting a path toward human trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Rise Therapeutics, LLC
Rockville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fanger, Gary — Rise Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Fanger, Gary
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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.