Understanding how gut bacteria affect immune responses in brain cancer treatment
Official title: Employing Humanized Microbiome Mice to Understand Immune Activation and Translational Therapeutic Potential in Glioblastoma
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11070342 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut might affect how well immunotherapy works for people with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, to see if certain good bacteria can help make these treatments more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $329,317 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270750-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070342 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who are considering or undergoing immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with glioblastoma who are not eligible for immunotherapy or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the gut microbiome in influencing the effectiveness of immunotherapy for glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. By using a novel humanized microbiome mouse model, the study aims to identify how different compositions of gut bacteria can impact the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1. The researchers will explore whether certain beneficial microbes can enhance the efficacy of these therapies, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes for patients. The study also examines the interaction between the microbiome and immune cells in the tumor environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments for glioblastoma patients by identifying beneficial gut bacteria that enhance treatment responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that gut microbiome composition can influence treatment responses in other cancers, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfarland, Braden Cox — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Mcfarland, Braden Cox
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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.