PART TWO: How Can We use the Microbiome to Enhance Cancer Care?

Colleagues Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS, Lead Physician Assistant, Melanoma Program, and Diwakar Davar, MD, MS, clinical director for the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, discuss melanoma and the microbiome.

PART II
How can we use the microbiome to enhance cancer care?
What kinds of things make up a healthy microbiome?
What is the most important thing to eat for a healthy microbiome?
What kind of foods or things should I avoid?
What is the future for the microbiome with melanoma?
Live Q&A

The gut biome, also known as the gut microbiota, refers to the trillions of microorganisms that reside in our digestive system. These microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. Recent studies have shown that the gut biome can also have a significant impact on cancer care.

One of the ways in which the gut biome affects cancer care is through its influence on immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer cells. However, not all patients respond equally to immunotherapy, and researchers have discovered that the composition of the gut microbiota plays a role in determining whether or not a patient will respond positively to this treatment.

Studies have shown that certain bacteria present in the gut can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy by stimulating an immune response against cancer cells. For example, one study found that patients with higher levels of certain bacteria had better responses to immunotherapy compared to those with lower levels. This suggests that manipulating the gut microbiota could potentially improve outcomes for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.

In addition to influencing immunotherapy, the gut biome can also affect how well patients tolerate chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments often come with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, research has shown that specific strains of bacteria in the gut can help alleviate these side effects by promoting healthy digestion and reducing inflammation.

Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that certain bacteria in the gut may even be able to directly inhibit tumor growth. For instance, some strains of bacteria produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have been shown to suppress tumor growth in animal models. This discovery opens up new possibilities for developing novel therapies targeting specific bacterial strains or their metabolites.

Despite these promising findings, more research is needed to fully understand how exactly the gut biome influences cancer care and how it can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes. Scientists are currently investigating the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), where healthy bacteria from a donor's gut are transferred to a patient's gut, as a way to modulate the gut microbiota and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

The gut biome plays a crucial role in cancer care. From influencing the effectiveness of immunotherapy to reducing side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the composition of the gut microbiota has a significant impact on patient outcomes. As our understanding of this complex ecosystem grows, we can expect new therapeutic strategies that harness the power of the gut biome to revolutionize cancer care.