The Impact of Intratumoral and Gastrointestinal Microbiota on Systemic Cancer Therapy. Issue 11 (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cogdill, Alexandria P.; Gaudreau, Pierre Olivier; Arora, Reetakshi; Gopalakrishnan, Vancheswaran; Wargo, Jennifer A.
• Is Part Of: Trends in immunology. Volume 39:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 900
• Page End: 920
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: microbiome -- cancer -- immunotherapy; Immunology -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.09.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4906

Abstract

Abstract : The human microbiome is a complex aggregate of microorganisms, and their genomes exert a number of influences crucial to the metabolic, immunologic, hormonal, and homeostatic function of the host. Recent work, both in preclinical mouse models and human studies, has shed light on the impact of gut and tumor microbiota on responses to systemic anticancer therapeutics. In light of this, strategies to target the microbiome to improve therapeutic responses are underway, including efforts to target gut and intratumoral microbes. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which microbiota may impact systemic and antitumor immunity, in addition to outstanding questions in the field. A deeper understanding of these is critical as we devise putative strategies to target the microbiome. Highlights: Comprehensive and cost-effective characterization of gut and tumor microbiota can help understand dynamic association between commensal signatures and a phenotype. Efficacy of the therapeutic treatment is strongly influenced by the diversity and abundance of the resident commensal microbiota. The microbiota has a potential to both induce deleterious and beneficial effects on host immune responses. A perpetual and dynamic crosstalk between the microbial community and host immune responses can dictate therapeutic outcomes. Microbial metabolites represent functional capabilities of microbiota and play a key role in exerting distinct immunomodulatory effects. The microbiome has the potential to be utilized as both a diagnostic tool, as well as a therapeutic adjunct in the context of anticancer therapy.