Does gut bacteria transfer improve cancer immunotherapy? A combined analysis of microbiota transplants and immune checkpoint treatments

The pooled objective response rate (ORR) for combining fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was 43%.

• Subgroup analysis indicated a higher ORR of 60% when combining anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies compared to a 37% ORR with anti-PD-1 alone.
• Grade 1-2 adverse events occurred in 42% of patients, while grade 3-4 adverse events were reported in 37%.
• This analysis included 10 studies with a total of 164 patients with solid tumors.
• Preliminary evidence suggests that FMT may enhance the efficacy of ICIs in treating advanced or refractory solid tumors.
• Further research is needed, including larger-scale randomized controlled trials, to confirm these findings and improve treatment protocols.

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