Overview
Numerous studies have revealed that a person's response to immunotherapy may be influenced by the bacteria in their gut. Immunotherapy has demonstrated effectiveness in treating various cancer types. However, immunotherapy does not effectively treat pancreatic cancer, and it is unclear how the microbiota may be a factor in this failure.
Researchers examined the effects of bacterial metabolites on the effectiveness of immunotherapy in mice with pancreatic cancers. They discovered that the anti-tumor effects of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursor trimethylamine (TMA) were amplified. By inducing particular immune responses, the administration of TMAO or TMA to mice with pancreatic cancer slowed the growth of the tumor. In those mice, TMAO also increased the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Compared to those who only survived for a brief time after pancreatic cancer, individuals who survived for a long time had higher amounts of bacteria that produce an enzyme that creates TMA.
The results imply that TMAO is a key regulator of anti-tumor immunity. The effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer may be increased by targeting TMAO. While immunotherapy has demonstrated success in treating a variety of cancers, it has not yet been successful in treating other cancers, such as pancreatic tumors. Trimethylamine N-oxide, or TMAO, is a gut microbial molecule that may now help pancreatic cancer patients respond better to immunotherapy. The findings, published in Science Immunology, suggest that TMAO is a driver of anti-tumor immunity. The effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer may be increased by targeting TMAO.
According to several studies, a person's reaction to immunotherapy may be influenced by the bacteria in their gut. Uncertainty exists on how the microbiota might impact the ineffectiveness of immunotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic malignancies. Rahul Shinde of the Wistar Institute and his colleagues set out to investigate novel strategies to harness gut microorganisms to boost immunotherapy's efficiency in pancreatic cancer because the pancreas supports digestion in the gut, which is home to gut bacteria.
Anti-Cancer Effect
In mice with pancreatic tumors, the researchers examined the chemicals produced by the gut flora. After that, they looked into how these metabolites altered immunotherapy's effectiveness. They discovered that the anti-tumor properties of TMAO and its precursor trimethylamine (TMA) were enhanced. Scientists are aware that dietary choline or L-carnitine, which are present in foods like meat and eggs, are converted into TMA in the intestine by the gut bacteria. TMA then enters the bloodstream and is changed by the liver into TMAO. The researchers discovered that giving TMAO or TMA to animals with pancreatic tumors inhibited tumor growth. This is probably a result of TMAO and TMA activating particular immune cells that can kill cancer cells, like macrophages and CD8 T cells. The concentrations of immunosuppressive markers in the tumor surroundings also appeared to be reduced by TMAO and TMA.
Making Immunotherapy Better
The team then administered TMAO along with immunotherapy to pancreatic cancer-infected animals. TMAO increased the mice's ability to survive immunotherapy by increasing its effectiveness. The researchers investigated if the presence of bacteria that produce an enzyme that creates TMA was connected with successful immunotherapy outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer in order to validate the findings in humans. The researchers discovered that compared to those who survived pancreatic cancer for a short time, those who survived for a long time had higher quantities of these bacteria, which include Bacillus and Paenibacillus species. According to the authors, melanoma patients who benefit from immunotherapy also have high levels of bacillus bacteria.
Clinical Oncology Case Reports also Focuses on Pancreatic Cancer
A peer-reviewed international journal dedicated to clinical and medical oncology and cancer research is called Clinical Oncology Case Reports. Clinical Oncology Case Reports (COCR) is a high-impact multidisciplinary journal focused on the area of clinical and medical investigation.
Every one who is seriously interested in cancer treatment should read the Journal. The journal's multidisciplinary approach ensures that readers are brought up to date on current developments in both related and their own fields of study. The Journal's coverage of malignant conditions and their management, including systemic therapy, radiation, pathology, and diagnostic procedures.
All cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and pediatric oncologists are welcome to submit articles to the journal. Each issue is selected with care to provide an appropriate mix of great original research, instructive case studies, and reviews. The magazine covers a wide range of oncology-related research issues, including chemotherapeutics, immunotherapies, tumor therapy, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, neoplasms, radiotherapy, biomarkers, carcinogenesis, and many others.
Domain: oncologyreport@escienceopen.com
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