Research Teams

SU2C Convergence 3.1416 Research Team: Integrating Microbiome and Organoid Analyses of Patients Cohorts for Immunooncology Therapeutic Development

Grant Term: January 2021-December 2023

This SU2C Convergence Research Team is seeking to investigate the limitations of immunotherapy, including both intrinsic and acquired resistance. They plan to integrate microbiome and organoid analyses of immunotherapy patient cohorts, in order to develop novel immunotherapeutic combinations.

Supported by:

ABOUT THIS TEAM'S RESEARCH

The transformative impact of cancer immunotherapy has been accompanied by an equally daunting realization of its inherent limitations, including intrinsic and acquired resistance. These shortcomings have highlighted the acute need to understand host factors influencing immunotherapy sensitivity and to develop predictive metrics of initial patient response. In particular, the host microbiome is believed to strongly influence immunotherapeutic efficacy, while advances in organoid technologies present novel opportunities for tumor immune response modeling. This team seeks to address these needs through the integration of microbiome and organoid analyses of patient cohorts receiving anti-PD(L)1-based immunotherapies, leading to the derivation of novel immunooncology therapeutics.

In Aim 1, the team will perform microbiome analysis and organoid modeling of a neoadjuvant anti- PD(L)1 metastatic melanoma cohort from the large volume of patients treated at MD Anderson.

Aim 2 mines pre-existing anti-PD(L)1 clinical cohorts for microbiota composition and secreted bioactive small molecule and small peptide signatures, which will be modeled in organoids.

Aim 3 exploits Aims 1 and 2 to develop microbiota-based enhancers of immunotherapy.

MEET THE TEAM

The top scientists and researchers on the SU2C Convergence Research Team: Integrating Microbiome and Organoid Analyses of Patients Cohorts for Immunooncology Therapeutic Development come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, which leads them to great insights upon collaboration. Learn more about the SU2C Convergence Research Team: Integrating Microbiome and Organoid Analyses of Patients Cohorts for Immunooncology Therapeutic Development.

Calvin Kuo, MD, PhD

Leader

Stanford University

Team Members

Calvin Kuo, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Leader

Ami Bhatt, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Team Member

Michael Fischbach, PhD
Stanford University
Team Member

Jennifer Wargo, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Team Member

Alice Lustig
Stand Up To Cancer
Project Manager

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

PUBLICATIONS

This Team started its work in 2021, and publications will be posted when available.

Clinical Trials Referrals

Cancer clinical trials allow researchers to study innovative and potentially life-saving new treatments. The goal is to find treatments that are better than what’s currently available; in fact, the therapies offered to today’s cancer patients were almost all studied and made possible by people participating in clinical trials. But many cancer clinical trials aren’t completed because not enough people take part.

At StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials, you’ll find clinical trial information, answers to common questions, and a free clinical trial finder tool.

LEARN MORE