Enhancing the clinical coverage and anticancer efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade through manipulation of the gut microbiota

Oncoimmunology. 2016 Feb 18;6(1):e1132137. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2015.1132137. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Although anticancer therapy with immune checkpoint blockers has seen unprecedented success, it fails to control neoplasia in most patients and often causes immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Our recent research shows the immunostimulatory and antitumor effects of CTLA-4 blockade depend on distinct Bacteroides species of the gut microbiota, signifying novel approaches to improve such immunotherapies.

Keywords: Anti-CTLA-4; Bacteroides; T cell; cancer; ipilimumab; microbiome; microbiota.