Using bacteria to improve cancer treatment
Official title: Improving bacterial cancer therapeutics
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11112287 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $50,937 |
| NIH project number | 5F30CA287792-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112287 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with specific types of cancer who may benefit from innovative therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cancer or those whose cancer is not amenable to bacterial therapy may not receive any benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Noah — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Chen, Noah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
HPV-based cervical cancer screening and treatment implementation in resource-limited settings
A collaborative project to help doctors in South Africa put HPV-based screening and same-day treatment for cervical cancer into routine care, so more people get fast, effective care.
-
Cervical cancer screening and treatment rollout in resource-poor settings
A team from Columbia and the University of Cape Town is testing how to best implement affordable, same-day HPV-based screen-and-treat for cervical cancer in public health settings.
-
Understanding SCN3A-related Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy and Finding Better Treatments
This NIH grant focuses on how SCN3A gene variants cause developmental epileptic encephalopathy and aims to develop more effective therapies for affected patients.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
M-CaRE: Mobile clinics and a smart heart-lung care tool for multimorbidity
A mobile, multilingual tool plus community health workers will help screen and manage high blood pressure and COPD in diverse adult patients, especially in underserved areas.
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.