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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
07:29
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
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Microbiome modulates immunotherapy response in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Anita Y Voigt1, Andrew Walter2, Timothy H Young2
1The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Experimental Dermatology
|June 23, 2023
Summary
The skin microbiome impacts non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) treatment. Depleting the microbiome with antibiotics reduced tumor burden in mice receiving immunotherapy, suggesting a key role in NMSC therapy response.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- The gut microbiome influences cancer progression and immunotherapy response, particularly in melanoma.
- The role of the microbiome in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) immunotherapy response remains undefined.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is closely associated with the skin microbiome, suggesting a potential influence on treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the skin microbiome on anti-PD1 immunotherapy response in NMSC.
- To determine if modulating the microbiome affects tumor burden in SCC models.
Main Methods:
- UV radiation was used to induce SCC in SKH1 hairless mice.
- Mice were treated with antibiotics to deplete the microbiome, followed by bacterial colonization or continued antibiotic treatment.
- Tumor burden and microbiome dynamics (16S rRNA sequencing) were monitored longitudinally during anti-PD1 immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion significantly reduced tumor burden in mice.
- Microbiome modulation influenced the response to anti-PD1 immunotherapy in this NMSC model.
Conclusions:
- The microbiome plays a functional role in NMSC therapy response.
- Targeting the skin microbiome may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for NMSC patients undergoing immunotherapy.
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