Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Testing Cancer Immunotherapeutics in a Humanized Mouse Model Bearing Human Tumors
Published on: December 16, 2022
Bugs in the system: bringing the human microbiome to bear in cancer immunotherapy
Christopher Strouse1, Ashutosh Mangalam2, Jun Zhang1
1a Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine , Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center , Iowa City , IA , USA.
Abstract:
The influence of the composition of the human microbiome on the efficacy of cancer directed immunotherapies, such as antibodies directed against the programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1), has garnered increasing attention as the role of immunotherapies in the care of cancer has grown. Dysbiosis (altered microbiota) has recently been reported to adversely affect the efficacy of cancer directed immunotherapies, and correction of this dysbiosis has the potential to improve the efficacy of these treatments. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this relationship remains unknown. Current methods for characterizing the microbiome likely capture only a small portion of the highly complex interaction between the microbiome and the immune system. Here we discuss the recent reports of the influence of dysbiosis on cancer immunotherapy, methods to more fully characterize the interaction between the microbiome and the immune system, and methods of modulating the immune system to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
Collar Bearings
Bearing Stress
Due to the intricacy of these microforces, an average value, known as bearing stress, is often used by...
Azimuths and Bearings
Pivot Bearings
A pivot bearing is a specialized type of bearing designed to support axial loads on a rotating shaft. The bearing surface, or the pivot, is positioned at the end of a shaft to support the axial thrust. The pivot may...
Journal Bearings
To better understand the concept of journal bearings, consider a rope winch with dry or...

