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The role of the mycobiome in cancer

Award Number: R01CA286920
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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The role of the mycobiome in cancer - Abstract Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide and host-bacterial microbiota interactions profoundly influence tumorigenesis, cancer progression and response to therapies. Nevertheless, the role of fungi (mycobiota) in these processes remain largely unexplored, missing a potential opportunity for developing novel diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic strategies. Across the population, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type. In addition to bacteria, we recently described the presence of live, transcriptionally active fungi in colorectal cancers. Here, we preset further evidence for the presence of active mycobiota in colorectal tumors and experimental data supporting a hypothesis that fungi play an important role in colon cancer growth and response to therapies through the interaction of fungal metabolites and virulence factors in the tumor macro- and micro-environment. We will use novel methodologies and in vivo modeling allowing to determine fungal species and factors that influence CRC. We will determine specific immune mediators and cells of the immune system that interact with fungi in the tumors, and pinpoint mechanisms by which specific fungal strains influence the tumor microenvironment and impact tumor growth. We will further characterize fungi in tumors of patient and mice to determine the utility of the mycobiome as a predictor of cancer progression, survival, and response to therapies. The results of these studies will contribute towards better understanding of host-mycobiota interactions in cancer and might provide a basis for novel diagnostic, therapeutic and co-therapeutic anticancer approaches in CRC by targeting the fungal arm of the microbiome.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $457,824 )
2026	2026	WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY	575 LEXINGTON AVE FL 9	NEW YORK	NY	10022	NEW YORK	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	3	1/27/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$457,824
														Subtotal = $457,824

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $508,693 )
2025	2025	WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY	575 LEXINGTON AVE FL 9	NEW YORK	NY	10022	NEW YORK	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	001	2	5/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$50,869
2025	2025	WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY	575 LEXINGTON AVE FL 9	NEW YORK	NY	10022	NEW YORK	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	2	1/27/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$457,824
														Subtotal = $508,693

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $508,693 )
2024	2024	WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY	575 LEXINGTON AVE FL 9	NEW YORK	NY	10022	NEW YORK	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	1	1/31/2024	NEW	$508,693
														Subtotal = $508,693

Grand Total All Awards = $1,475,210

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The role of the mycobiome in cancer

Award Number: R01CA286920

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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