Forbes July 23, 2024
A study published in Nature suggests a variation in responses to a cancer immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors may be due—at least in part—to a patient’s intestinal microbiome.
Turning to the Intestines
There are other similar reports that paint a connection between the microbiome—the collection of microorganisms living in a patient’s intestines—and responses to cancer therapies. Mouse studies illustrate how these bacteria can promote antitumor responses to checkpoint inhibitors. A recent paper on vitamin D also underscores this link: mice with increased vitamin D intake respond more readily to anti-PD-1 therapy, but this effect is dependent on the presence of intestinal microbiota. The limitation of these studies is that they may not be reproducible in humans.
A few early trials show...
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