Mesothelioma researchers from the United Kingdom have made a promising discovery that may help revolutionize treatment for the rare, asbestos-related disease. As part of the ongoing IST4 multi-center phase II clinical trial, they’ve found that bacteria living in the gut – collectively known as the gut microbiota – may play a crucial role in determining how well patients respond to immunotherapy treatments.
The Gut-Mesothelioma Connection
Researchers have long known that the gut biome influences health and plays a role in cancer response, but little is known about its specific impact on mesothelioma treatment. Previous studies in lung cancer and melanoma patients have shown that specific gut bacteria can regulate the tumor environment, making patients more likely to respond to the immunotherapy drugs that help the immune system fight cancer. Scientists from the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre & Cancer Research UK Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre in Leicester, United Kingdom, set out to learn more.
Using advanced machine learning techniques, the mesothelioma researchers identified specific bacterial species that differ between patients who respond well to immunotherapy (responders) and those who don’t (non-responders). They found that the balance between certain bacterial groups acts like a biological dimmer switch, potentially controlling how effectively immunotherapy works.
Mesothelioma Researchers Suggest Gut Microbiome Creates “Rheostat Effect”
The researchers suggest that bacterial balance in the gut creates a “rheostat effect,” so that when the right bacteria are present in optimal ratios, they may shape the immune environment around mesothelioma tumors in beneficial ways, including reducing the presence of certain immune cells that can interfere with treatment while promoting the body’s natural cancer fighters.
Though it’s preliminary, this discovery suggests that dietary changes could potentially improve mesothelioma treatment outcomes. The gut microbiome is influenced by what a patient eats: Fiber-rich foods feed beneficial bacteria, and previous studies have shown that a high-fiber diet that promotes gut bacteria is linked to better immunotherapy responses in other cancers.
This study suggests a new approach to better outcomes and offers real hope for mesothelioma patients and their families. For information on other studies and the resources that are available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
