Research summary
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown unparalleled clinical success in treating several types of cancer, and now represent the backbone of cancer treatment. But a stubborn hurdle remains: tumours do not always respond to immunotherapy strategies. Dr. Bertrand Routy, Canada Research Chair in Gut Microbiome to Predict and Increase Cancer Immunotherapy Efficacy, is trying to understand this phenomenon by focusing on the gut microbiome.
The human gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria and other microbes-and it has emerged as a key contributor to ICI response, making it a promising drug target to increase the efficacy of ICIs. Routy and his research team are studying the gut microbiome as a biomarker of ICI response and unravelling the immune mechanisms through which the microbiome influences ICI activity. Ultimately, their research will contribute to better clinical outcomes for patients with cancer.