The gut microbiome is distinct in responders vs nonresponders, and the presence of bacterial strains that induce resistance can emerge at progression on immune checkpoint therapy. Clinical trials of fecal transplantation or microbiome altering agents such as CBM-588 are showing preliminary promising results.
A Southwest oncology group (SWOG) large randomized trial in metastatic renal cancer is in development to evaluate the combination of CBM-588/placebo with immune checkpoint based therapy [BIOFRONT]. If clinical efficacy is validated, this would represent an easy well tolerated treatment to enhance immune therapy outcomes in advanced renal cancer.
Written by: Sara Elyas,1 Pedro Barata,2 Ulka Vaishampayan3
- Lyman Briggs College, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.