Understanding how gut bacteria influence immune responses in cancer treatment
Official title: MAIT cell: microbiome crosstalk in antitumor immunity
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11001213 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might influence how well certain cancer treatments work, especially by focusing on a special type of immune cell, and it aims to find out if specific gut bacteria can help doctors create more personalized treatment plans for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $356,850 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA279604-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001213 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with stage III or IV melanoma who are undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage melanoma or those not receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between gut microbiome composition and the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients, particularly focusing on a type of immune cell called MAIT cells. The study aims to uncover how these cells interact with microbial byproducts and how this interaction may affect cancer treatment outcomes. By analyzing patient samples, the researchers hope to identify specific microbial signatures that correlate with better responses to therapies like anti-PD-1. This could lead to personalized treatment strategies based on an individual's gut microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies by tailoring treatments based on gut microbiome profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results linking gut microbiome composition to immune responses in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tobin, Richard — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Tobin, Richard
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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.