Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

A Double Humanized BLT-mice Model Featuring a Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome and Human Immune System
07:32

A Double Humanized BLT-mice Model Featuring a Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome and Human Immune System

Published on: August 30, 2019

8.9K

Microbiome Modulation for the Treatment of Solid Neoplasms

Regina Barragan-Carrillo1,2, Zeynep B Zengin3, Sumanta K Pal1

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA.

Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
|July 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Modulating the gut microbiome shows promise for enhancing cancer immunotherapy responses. Strategies like probiotics and fecal transplants are being investigated, but large trials are needed for standard care.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiome Research

Background:

  • The gut microbiome's interaction with the immune system is crucial for cancer treatment efficacy.
  • Specific gut bacteria are associated with improved responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
  • Antibiotic disruption of the microbiome correlates with resistance and poorer survival in ICI therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of microbiome modulation as a therapeutic strategy in oncology.
  • To review current clinical investigations and potential microbiome-based interventions for cancer patients.
  • To assess the impact of gut bacteria, diet, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation on ICI outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of preclinical and clinical studies investigating the gut microbiome in relation to ICI therapy.
  • Correlation of specific bacterial abundances (e.g., Ruminococcaceae, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium) with clinical outcomes.
  • Evaluation of microbiome-modulating strategies including dietary fiber, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.

Main Results:

  • Favorable clinical outcomes in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) correlate with specific gut bacteria.
  • High dietary fiber intake and certain probiotics show potential in enhancing ICI efficacy.
  • Fecal microbiota transplantation demonstrates safety and efficacy in ICI-refractory and treatment-naïve patients.

Conclusions:

  • Microbiome modulation presents a promising avenue for improving cancer immunotherapy.
  • Further large-scale, randomized trials are essential to establish microbiome-based strategies as standard oncological care.
  • Biomarkers like TOPOSCORE can aid in predicting treatment response and dysbiosis.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells09:04

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

702
Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer07:55

Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Published on: January 17, 2025

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.8K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
664
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
349
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.1K