Targeting gut bacteria to stop melanoma spread to lymph nodes
Official title: Targeting the gut microbiome to inhibit melanoma lymph node metastases
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11321216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will test whether changing a patient’s gut bacteria can prevent melanoma from spreading to nearby lymph nodes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $515,112 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA289456-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with melanoma, particularly those at risk of lymph node metastasis, may be eligible for related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
If metastasis is not influenced by the gut microbiome in a given patient, there may be no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores if the gut microbiome influences how melanoma grows and spreads, and whether manipulating gut bacteria can reduce lymph node metastasis. Researchers will study tumor and gut samples from melanoma patients and use models to see how microbes affect the immune response against cancer in the skin and nodes. The work aims to identify potential microbiome-based strategies to prevent metastasis and improve therapies for melanoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have new ways to prevent melanoma from spreading and improve responses to existing treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows the gut microbiome can affect response to immunotherapy; this study extends that to metastasis prevention.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wargo, Jennifer a. — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Wargo, Jennifer a.
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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.