Defining the role of the microbiome in the prediction and response to immunotherapy, particularly in older adults
The microbiome in older adults with lung cancer: associatiob of treatment regimens and diet with protective microbial profiles
NIH-NIA 1K01AG070310-01A1 (PI: Spakowicz)
This work seeks to define the microbiomes of older adults with lung cancer, modify the microbiomes to promote response using dietary interventions, and study the causal mechanisms using pre-clinical models.
Collaboration with Carolyn Presley (OSU, Medical Oncology), David Carbone (OSU, Medical Oncology) and Lang Li (OSU, Dept of Biomedical Informatics), Steve Clinton (OSU, Medical Oncology), Daniel Rosenburg (UConn), Ashley Rosko (OSU, Hematology), and Yael Vodovotz (OSU, Food Science)
Evaluating modifiable biomarkers for the prediction of immunotherapy response and toxicity
Young Investigator Research Award in Immuno-oncology, LCFA-BMS/ILC Foundation
This project is evaluating the predictive strength of the microbiome and physical activity for cancer treatment responses, relative and in addition to tumor biomarkers such as PD1/PDL1 and tumor mutational burden. The hope is that, because these biomarkers can be modified, we will estimate to what extent the response to treatment can be altered by controlling these two variables.
Collaboration with Carolyn Presley (OSU, Medical Oncology), David Carbone (OSU, Medical Oncology) and Lang Li (OSU, Dept of Biomedical Informatics)
Resiliency Among Older Adults Receiving Lung Cancer Treatment (ROAR-LCT): A Pilot Intervention Study
NIA R03 AG064374-01
This award is studying whether exercise and stress interventions affect cancer outcomes. My lab will handle the microbiome biomarker component, including sample collection, processing, data generation and analysis.
Collaboration with Carolyn Presley (OSU, Medical Oncology)
The Effect of the Microbiome on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response and Corticosteroid Use in Melanoma
Pelotonia New Investigator Award
This project is defining how the microbiome interacts with the immune system in the context of immunotherapy for melanoma with specific focus on toxicity and corticosteroid use.
Collaboration with Kari Kenda (OSU, Medical Oncology), Lang Li, and the physicians and clinical staff in the OSU Melanoma Clinic
Modifying the microbiome to promote response to immunotherapy or health more broadly
The BE WELL Study: defining the impact of a novel black raspberry food product on the microbiome and immune functions in a high risk cohort for lung cancer.
Pelotonia Clinical Trial Award
This award aims to modify the microbiome using an food product with high polyphenol density. It is predicted that this addition to the diet will enrich for organisms that will promote health and may one day be used to promote response to immunotherapies.
Collaboration with Steve Clinton (OSU, Medical Oncology), David Carbone (OSU, Medical Oncology), and the clinical staff in the OSU Lung Cancer Screening Clinic
Longitudinal analysis of the impact of Vitamin A on stool microbiota post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
OSU Hematology Department Research Funds
This project seeks to reduce bloodstream infections and graft versus host disease in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The hypothesis is that vitamin A will strengthen gut tight junctions and thereby reduce bacterial translocation into the bloodstream.
Collaboration with Hannah Choe (OSU, Division of Hematology)
Dietary interventions to modify the response to immunotherapy: a companion assessment within the NutriCare Study
Pelotonia Non-profit Research Foundation Population Health Award (PI: Spakowicz, Zhu)
Goal: To identify changes to the gut microbiome associated with a 3-month, 3 meals per day dietary intervention and to establish the causal effect of the changes to the microbiome on the response to immunotherapy in preclinical models.
Collaboration with Chris Zhu (OSU, Human Sciences), Colleen Spees (OSU, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), Fang Fang Zhang (Tufts), and Carolyn Presley (OSU, Medical Oncology)
Testing the effects of lifestyle interventions (e.g. diet, physical activity) on the microbiome and response to immunotherapy using preclinical models
Increasing response to immunotherapy through diet-based alterations of the microbiome: a mouse validation study
OSU Division of Medical Oncology Research Award
This project is setting up a model system to rapidly assess the effects of a variety of interventions on the human microbiome and how they relate to response to immunotherapy.
Collaboration with David Carbone (OSU, Division of Medical Oncology), Steve Clinton (OSU, Division of Medical Oncology), and Yael Vodovotz (OSU, Food Sciences).
BEFIT: An exercise intervention study in a cohort at high risk for developing lung cancer
American Lung Association Discovery Catalyst Award (PI: Bittoni)
Goal: To assess the feasibility of an exercise intervention in a high-risk cohort and estimate the effect on blood markers of inflammation and the microbiome
Collaboration with Marisa Bittoni (OSU, Medical Oncology), Brian Focht (OSU, Exercise Science), and David Carbone (OSU, Medical Oncology)
Understanding the role of the tumor microbiome on cancer development, progression and outcomes
The Epigenetic Landscape and Correlation with Microbiome in the Early Onset Colorectal Cancer.
OSU Department of Biomedical Informatics
The goal of this project is to explore associations between intratumor microbes and epigenetic modifications with early-onset colorectal cancer using publicly available and oncology research information exchange network (ORIEN) data.
Collaboration with Molly Mo (OSU, Biomedical Informatics), and Ning Jin (OSU, Division of Medical Oncology)
Targeting immunosuppressive adenosine in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
NIH-NCI 1R01CA248741-01A1 (PI: Carbone, Dikov)
Goal: To evaluate (1) the safety and tolerability of combination PBF-1129 with nivolumab, (2) the correlation between immunological parameters and adenosine generation, the microbiome and signaling, and (3) the efficacy of PBF-1129 in targeting adenosine-mediated immunosuppression.
Completed
Longitudinal analysis of the impact of Vitamin A on stool microbiota post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)OSU Hematology Department Research Funds
This project sought to reduce bloodstream infections and graft versus host disease in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The hypothesis is that vitamin A will strengthen gut tight junctions and thereby reduce bacterial translocation into the bloodstream. Collaboration with Hannah Choe (OSU, Division of Hematology)
Exogenous sequences in unmapped transcriptome data from the ORIEN consortium
2019 CCTS Pilot Translational & Clinical Studies Program
This project is processing and analyze tumor biopsy RNAseq data collected at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and members of the ORIEN consortium. We are linking microbes with immune cell profiles and expression to predict treatment outcomes.
Collaboration with Molly Mo (OSU, Dept of Biomedical Informatics) and David Carbone (OSU, Medical Oncology)
Food Products for the Targeted Enrichment of Gut Microbes
OSU Foods for Health (FFH) Discovery Theme Seed Grants
This project is setting up a model gut system to rapidly assess the effects of food molecules on microbial communities in vitro. In addition, we’re developing a model for predicting the response to inputs by combining two tools created by OSU faculty, Spakowicz and Ma.
Collaboration with Chris Zhu (OSU, Dept of Human Sciences) and Qin Ma (OSU, Dept of Biomedical Informatics)