Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/uocm-gbc110315.php

Public Release: 5-Nov-2015
Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy
Manipulating microbes maximizes tumor immunity in mice
University of Chicago Medical Center

By introducing a particular strain of bacteria into the digestive tracts of mice with melanoma, researchers at the University of Chicago were able to boost the ability of the animal's immune systems to attack tumor cells. The gains were comparable to treatment with anti-cancer drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-L1 antibodies.

The combination of oral doses of the bacteria and injections with anti-PD-L1 antibody nearly abolished tumor outgrowth, the researchers report online Thursday in the journal Science.

"Our results clearly demonstrate a significant, although unexpected, role for specific gut bacteria in enhancing the immune system's response to melanoma and possibly many other tumor types," said study director Thomas Gajewski, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and pathology at the University of Chicago.

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