# The role of the mycobiome in cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $508,693

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10780073
- **Project number:** 1R01CA286920-01
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** ILIYAN Dimitrov ILIEV
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $508,693
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-02-01 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10780073

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10780073, The role of the mycobiome in cancer (1R01CA286920-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10780073. Licensed CC0.

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