Prospect of interdisciplinary research on gut microbiota and colorectal cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is considered as a promising therapy in a variety of cancers, while colorectal cancer (CRC) is mostly resistant to it. The ICB efficacy is proved to be associated with gut microbiota. However, the research on improving ICB outcomes of CRC by microbes or their metabolites is obstructed compared to other types of cancers. Through summarizing the main progress and limitations in previous work, we provide our proposal for further study on CRC. For preclinical basic investigation, microbial tryptophan metabolism regulates ICB therapy outcomes particularly in CRC and requires specific focus. For clinical trials, sources of recruited cohorts and donators of fecal microbiota transplantation can be diversified. For future application, interdisciplinary methods and models coupled with advanced technologies are suggested for designing precise intervention strategies based on prebiotics.