Scientists at the Lawson Health Research Institute have proven that fecal microbiota transplants from healthy donors are safe and can improve response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma. The research was published in the journal nature medicine.
The first phase of the study involved 20 patients with melanoma. One week before cancer immunotherapy, each patient received a stool transplant capsule. In fecal transport, feces are collected from a healthy donor, tested in the laboratory, and then packaged in capsules for oral administration.
The study showed that the combination of stool transplant and immunotherapy was safe for patients. Additionally, 65% of patients adopting the donor microbiome responded to primary cancer treatment with immunotherapy.
The immunotherapy approach is to stimulate the human immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. This treatment modality is associated with a high survival rate in melanoma patients, but is effective in only 40-50% of patients.
“We’ve reached a plateau with immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma, but the microbiome may change the paradigm,” the scientists said.
ancient scientists said on changes in the vaginal microbiome in obese women.