Enhancing cancer immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy by regulating gut microbes: Opportunities and challenges

• Published in: MedComm - Oncology 2024-09, Vol.3 (3), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Xu, Jie, Tian, Yaomei, Hu, Die, Yan, Xi, Yang, Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antiangiogenic; cancer therapy; gut microbes; immune checkpoint
• ISSN: 2769-6448; 2769-6448
• DOI: 10.1002/mog2.85

As the largest microecosystem in the human body, gut microbes (GMs) and their metabolites play an important role in regulating human health. In recent years, immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) combined with antiangiogenic agents is an emerging combination therapy for cancer. There is growing evidence that GMs can affect the effectiveness of drugs to treat cancer. GMs not only regulate angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment, but also influence the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Many studies show that Bifidobacterium can upregulate the anticancer function of immune checkpoint blockers. In addition, GMs have been found to be involved in the formation of blood vessels and other developmental processes. Clinically, GMs are believed to play a key role in patients receiving antiangiogenic therapy and ICT. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the composition and function of the gut microbiome, and discuss the role of the GMs against the conditioning of angiogenic therapy and ICT. We also summarize new approaches and clinical translational trials using GMs for cancer therapy, and present opportunities and challenges for targeting GMs for cancer therapy in the future. Immune checkpoint therapy is the main means of cancer treatment. However, most patients develop strong resistance to it. Another cancer treatment is antiangiogenic therapy. It enhances tumor immune response. Gut microbes enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. We hope that the three of them will be able to treat cancer together.