Understanding how gut bacteria affect prostate cancer treatment resistance
Official title: Defining the Mechanistic Basis of Bacterial Androgen Production in Dampening Anti-Tumor Immunity and Promoting Resistance to Androgen Receptor Axis-Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10981242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect how well treatments work for metastatic prostate cancer, and it’s for patients who are currently receiving these therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $654,763 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA287126-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who are undergoing androgen receptor-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those not receiving androgen receptor-targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of gut bacteria in influencing the effectiveness of treatments for metastatic prostate cancer. It focuses on how certain bacteria can produce androgens that may dampen the immune response and contribute to resistance against therapies targeting the androgen receptor. By analyzing microbiome samples from patients undergoing treatment, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind these interactions and how they impact treatment outcomes. This could lead to new strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, potentially enhancing their response to therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in modulating the microbiome to enhance cancer therapy responses, indicating that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sfanos, Karen Sandell — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sfanos, Karen Sandell
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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.