Investigation of role of microbiota in development, progression and therapy of cancers

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Host-associated microbes exert a profound influence on nearly all aspects of human health. Our group, along with others, has demonstrated that the gut microbiota is a major determinant of the response to cancer immunotherapy. However, the immense complexity of microbial communities-both in terms of taxonomic composition and their multifaceted interactions with the host immune system-poses a substantial challenge to identifying the specific microbial taxa and genes responsible for modulating therapeutic outcomes. Our ongoing research is systematically unraveling this complexity, layer by layer. Through integrated metagenomic, transcriptomic, and functional approaches, we are identifying distinct microbial species, characterizing their genetic repertoires, and elucidating their precise roles in shaping anti-tumor immune responses. This work aims to move beyond correlative associations to mechanistic understanding, ultimately guiding the development of microbiome-informed immunotherapeutic strategies.