Gut Microbiome : path for life saving cancer therapy

Ms. Laiba Arsi

Department of Microbiology, Kalinga University

Gut bacteria, despite their tiny size, have a significant impact on the efficacy of several cancer treatments. Recently, researchers have discovered that the proportion of particular microbial communities in the gut might assist in forecasting how certain cancer types will react to next-generation treatments. The gut microbiota is a secret treasure trove of billions of bacteria living on the host’s intestinal epithelial barrier. Over the last ten years, a multitude of in vitro, animal, and clinical investigations have demonstrated the profound roles that gut microbiota play in preserving the homeostasis of diverse physiological functions, particularly immune modulation. Additionally, there have been notable distinctions in the microbial community configurations between individuals with cancer and those who are healthy. Furthermore, the global cancer burden is increasing despite the significant efforts made in the treatment of cancer, since many individuals still pass away from their illness. However, the flexibility of the gut microbiota presents a potential possibility for customized medicine when contrasted with the stability of the human DNA. On the other hand, emerging research suggests that the gut microbiota closely influences the results of several cancer immunotherapy procedures, such as immune checkpoint blockade therapy, allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy. Also, identifying appropriate patients using biomarkers and boosting immunotherapy’s effectiveness using a variety of techniques are essential for optimizing the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. It’s also crucial to remember that the gut microbiome’s properties as immunotherapy biomarkers can be changed through manipulation methods like boosting beneficial microbes (like taking probiotics or prebiotic supplements), decreasing harmful microbes (like using selective antibiotics), and changing the gut microbiome as a whole (like taking FMT or broad-spectrum antibiotics). Additionally, it is crucial to take into account the role of other variables including tumor and host characteristics when researching how the gut microbiota affects immunotherapy response prediction and enhancement. Several future directions for the use of gut bacteria in immunotherapy have been suggested, and they include the following: (i) using a bigger sample size; (ii) developing new, standardized methodologies; (iii) developing more precise and customized designs; (iv) combining the use of several biomarkers; and (v) conducting more scientific research. In conclusion, there is a great deal of promise for the practical application of gut microbiota in immunotherapy, albeit persistent difficulties.