Posted in Melanoma

Cancer patients who have run out of options for immunotherapy may have a new possibility. It’s the gut microbiome. By changing the gut microbiome in advanced melanoma patients, who had previously failed to respond to treatment, the body responded to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Though the research is in phase II trials, it’s very positive news for those who have little hope. Researchers at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) demonstrated that changing t...

The gut microbiome can modulate the immune system and influence the therapeutic response of cancer patients, yet the mechanisms underlying the effects of microbiota are presently unclear. Spencer et al. add to our understanding of how dietary habits affect microbiota and clinical outcomes to immunotherapy. In an observational study, the researchers found that melanoma patients reporting high fibre (prebiotic) consumption had a better response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy compared wi...