Ecological management of the microbiota in patients with cancer

The composition of the intestinal microbiota influences the outcomes of patients receiving cancer treatment, although the best way to use this knowledge to improve cancer care remains unclear. In this Review, I synthesize the current understanding of host–microbiota dynamics in patients with cancer, and propose the integration of microbiota management guided by ecological principles in cancer care. Ecological management of the microbiota emphasizes the preservation of microbial populations — and the benefits they provide to the host — from the disruption caused by treatments such as chemotherapy and prophylactic antibiotics. The microbiota can be routinely and longitudinally monitored in patients using proven non-invasive methods, such as 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing. Longitudinal microbiome data can be processed with innovative computational tools based on principles of mathematical ecology to predict the risk of microbiota-related complications, guide treatment choices that minimize disturbance to the microbiota and restore microbial populations damaged by cancer treatment. Routine microbiome monitoring could also generate extensive datasets for human-based research, which could inform new microbiota-targeted interventions that improve responses to cancer treatments, including immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Applying ecological approaches to manage microbiota could enhance cancer care and improve patient outcomes.