Researchers at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo have identified a previously unknown strain of gut bacteria capable of significantly enhancing the effectiveness of modern cancer immunotherapy. These significant findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature.
The identified bacterium has been named Hominenteromicrobium YB328. It was discovered in the gut microbiota samples of patients undergoing treatment with PD-1 inhibitors. It was observed that individuals carrying this strain showed more active penetration of T-lymphocytes into tumors and experienced longer periods of disease remission after treatment.
Further experiments on laboratory mice confirmed that the transplantation of gut flora containing YB328 significantly boosts the body`s anti-tumor immune response. Specifically, this leads to the activation of specialized dendritic cells, which, in turn, stimulate T-cells to attack tumors. Notably, the introduction of another strain, P. vulgatus, had the opposite effect, reducing treatment efficacy.
According to the study authors, targeted modulation of the gut microbiota composition opens new avenues in oncological practice. The careful selection and maintenance of specific types of bacteria in the gut could significantly improve immunotherapy outcomes and make it effective for a broader range of patients.
