Using bacteria to improve cancer treatment

Improving bacterial cancer therapeutics

NIH-funded research Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11112287

This study is looking at how specially modified bacteria can be used to deliver cancer treatments right to tumors, with the hope of making the treatments work better and cause fewer side effects for people with cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11112287 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the use of genetically modified bacteria as a novel approach to deliver cancer therapies directly to tumors. By understanding how these bacteria can selectively colonize tumor tissue, the study aims to enhance their effectiveness and reduce side effects associated with traditional cancer treatments. The research involves comprehensive screening to identify the mechanisms that allow bacteria to target tumors, which could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for patients with cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with specific types of cancer who may benefit from innovative therapeutic approaches.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have cancer or those whose cancer is not amenable to bacterial therapy may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted cancer treatments with fewer side effects for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While bacterial cancer therapy has historical precedent, this research aims to explore novel mechanisms and has the potential to uncover new pathways that have not been extensively studied before.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancerAnti-Cancer Agentsanti-cancer druganti-cancer immunotherapyanti-cancer therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.