Gastrointestinal system | Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology

Research Highlight | 16 March 2020

Intestinal microbiota predict HSCT outcome

Peter Sidaway

News & Views | 17 September 2019

Microbes as biomarkers and targets in pancreatic cancer

The presence and prognostic relevance of the intratumoural microbiota in pancreatic cancer, and the roles of intratumoural bacteria in oncogenesis and therapeutic response are beginning to be elucidated. The feasibility of characterizing intratumoural microbial communities from paraffin-embedded tissues has now been validated, providing greater opportunities for retrospective research. Prospective studies are also needed to test the efficacy of rational approaches combining microbial modulation with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.

Joshua C. Leinwand
& George Miller

Perspective | 10 April 2018

The gut microbiota influences anticancer immunosurveillance and general health

Emerging evidence indicates that the composition of the intestinal microbiota influences anticancer immunosurveillance and therefore the effectiveness of anticancer therapies, especially immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Herein, key contributors to this field of research discuss these connections between gut bacteria, anticancer immunity, and general health, with a focus on specific bacterial species consistently associated with favourable clinical outcomes of anticancer immunotherapy, and explore the potential mechanisms.