[Microbiota, cancer and immune therapy]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• The intricate relationship between microbes and cancer is not fully understood.
• The human microbiome plays a role in various physiological and pathological processes.
• Emerging evidence suggests a connection between the microbiome and cancer immunotherapy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review current scientific literature on the microbiome's role in cancer.
• To examine the impact of the microbiome on the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
• To synthesize evidence regarding specific microbial compositions and their association with treatment responses.

Main Methods:

• A non-systematic literature review was conducted.
• Databases searched included MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and DATABASE.
• Selected articles prioritized scientific rigor, focusing on reviews, prospective studies, and randomized clinical trials published up to May 2018.

Main Results:

• The microbiome composition significantly correlates with cancer development and progression.
• Specific microbial species and their metabolites can modulate anti-tumor immune responses.
• Evidence indicates that the gut microbiome influences patient responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• The microbiome is a critical factor influencing cancer and its treatment.
• Modulating the microbiome presents a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy efficacy.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate specific microbial mechanisms and develop targeted interventions.