The heightened importance of the microbiome in cancer immunotherapy

The human microbiome is recognized as a key factor in health and disease. This has been further corroborated by identifying changes in microbiome composi-tion and function as a novel hallmark in cancer. These effects are exerted through microbiome interactions with host cells, impacting a wide variety of developmen-tal and physiological processes. In this review, we discuss some of the latest findings on how the bacterial component of the microbiome can influence out-comes for different cancer immunotherapy modalities, highlighting identified mechanisms of action. We also address the clinical efforts to utilize this knowl-edge to achieve better responses to immunotherapy. A refined understanding of microbiome variations in patients and microbiome-host interactions with cancer therapies is essential to realize optimal clinical responses.

Automated summary

The human microbiome, which plays a crucial role in health and disease, has been found to have a significant impact on cancer development. This review discusses the influence of the bacterial component of the microbiome on outcomes for various cancer immunotherapy approaches, highlighting the mechanisms involved. The clinical efforts to utilize this knowledge to enhance immunotherapy responses are also addressed.