The role of microbiome in immunotherapy: Insights and perspectives

Specific microbial communities are associated with the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy.

• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in influencing clinical outcomes in cancer treatment.
• Mechanisms include the microbiome's impact on immune system functions such as antigen presentation and activation of immune cells.
• Certain microbial components may enhance or inhibit the effectiveness of cancer therapies through various biological pathways.
• Microbiome-targeted strategies like antibiotics, probiotics, and dietary changes could serve as potential complementary therapies for improving treatment outcomes.
• Challenges remain in applying preclinical findings to standardized clinical practices.

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