Project Details
Projekt
Deciphering the role of the gut microbiota in the success of radiation therapy for colorectal cancer (P11)
Subject Area
Gastroenterology
Term
since 2019
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 395357507
Radiation therapy (RT) plays a crucial role in the treatment of advanced rectal cancer. However, the influence of the intestinal microbiome in this context is largely unknown. In the next funding period, this project will examine the intestinal microbiome of study patients with advanced rectal cancer during their RT in order to link microbial signatures and specific microbial signals to therapy outcomes. In parallel, the mechanisms of these observations are investigated using novel in vitro and in vivo models, such as by experimental RT of rectally transplanted tumor organoids into mice with different microbial interventions. The aim of this clinical-experimental project is to pave the way for the clinical application of innovative microbiome-based treatment concepts (e.g. fecal microbiota transfer) to improve the therapy of advanced colorectal cancer.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
Applicant Institution
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Project Heads
Dr. Julius Fischer; Markus Tschurtschenthaler, Ph.D.
