How gut microbes help chemotherapy drugs

(Cell Press) Two bacterial species that inhabit the human gut activate immune cells to boost the effectiveness of a commonly prescribed anticancer drug, researchers report Oct. 4 in Immunity. The study identifies a new role for Enterococcus hirae and Barnesiella intestinihominis in activating cancer-fighting T cell immune responses, thereby enhancing the effects of the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide. Moreover, this microbe-driven immune response predicted longer progression-free survival in advanced lung and ovarian cancer patients treated with chemo-immunotherapy.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news