Melanoma Research Update
Favorable Microbiome Improves Response to Immunotherapy
A recent study, led by Jen Wargo, M.D., identified that the bacteria in a patient's gut can influence how they respond to anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade. Patients with higher diversity of bacteria in their digestive tract had longer median progression-free survival. Based on these results, Wargo and colleagues are working with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy to develop a clinical trial that combines checkpoint blockade with microbiome modulation.