Microbiome Program

The study of the microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that inhabit the human body, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and how they affect health and disease is a rapidly emerging field with significant scientific and clinical potential. Research on the microbiome deepens our understanding of cancer and promotes innovative methods for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The Microbiome Program at City of Hope^® is revolutionizing cancer care through a nexus of personalized and holistic medicine, integrating diet, nutrition and the immune system to promote early detection, personalized interventions and better treatment outcomes. The microbiome plays a significant role in cancer progression and immune responses, which can impact the effectiveness of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical and targeted therapies. It can also help predict treatment responses and enhance the efficacy of existing therapies.  

Mission and Vision

Founded in 2024 under the leadership of Robert Jenq, M.D., the Microbiome Program is dedicated to revolutionizing cancer care by harnessing the untapped therapeutic potential of the microbiome. Through state-of-the-art science and innovation, City of Hope strives to establish itself as a global hub for microbiome research, developing breakthroughs that enhance cancer treatment outcomes worldwide.

Microbiome Services

City of Hope’s Shared Resources Microbiome Core brings together expert guidance and advanced technologies to support groundbreaking cancer research. We offer multidisciplinary consultation and access to leading-edge tools — including sequencing, metabolomics, proteomics and computational analysis. These resources help researchers uncover how the microbiome influences cancer and accelerate innovations in diagnosis and treatment.

Learn more about our Microbiome Core.

Media Alerts

• May 2026: City of Hope convened U.S. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., and leaders from top cancer centers for a national symposium, “The Next Frontier of Cancer Prevention and Care: The Microbiome,” highlighting the microbiome’s role in cancer prevention, treatment response, and patient outcomes, and emphasizing collaboration between academic centers and federal agencies to accelerate progress. Read the full City of Hope press release and Story of Hope feature.
• March 2026: A new study, led in part by Kenya Honda, M.D., Ph.D., and Takeshi Tanoue, Ph.D., reveals how the gut microbiome and diet work together to transform white fat cells into energy‑burning beige fat in mice. Read the full City of Hope press release.
• June 2025: Kenya Honda, M.D., Ph.D., joined City of Hope’s Microbiome Program. Dr. Honda is globally recognized for his pioneering work on the relationship between the human microbiota and immune system, with his research leading to the discovery of key microbial species that influence immune cell development and therapeutic response. Under his leadership, the Honda Lab will significantly enhance our microbiome research capabilities, helping to fast-track the development of novel therapies that harness the power of the human microbiota. View LinkedIn announcement.
• 2024: Robert Jenq, M.D., was named director of the Microbiome Program at City of Hope. View The Cancer Letter announcement.