Microbiota boost immunotherapy? A meta-analysis dives into fecal microbiota transplantation and immune checkpoint inhibitors

Jun 8, 2025BMC medicine

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

AI simplified

Abstract

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.

AI simplified

Key numbers

43%
Objective Response Rate (ORR)
Pooled ORR from the analysis of 10 studies.
42%
Grade 1-2 Adverse Events (AEs)
Incidence of grade 1-2 AEs in patients receiving FMT with ICIs.
37%
Grade 3-4 Adverse Events (AEs)
Incidence of grade 3-4 AEs in patients receiving FMT with ICIs.

Full Text

We can’t show the full text here under this license. Use the link below to read it at the source.

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free