The gut wall’s potential as a partner for precision oncology in immune checkpoint treatment

• Published in: Cancer treatment reviews Vol. 107; p. 102406
• Main Authors: Hone Lopez, Sara, Jalving, Mathilde, Fehrmann, Rudolf S.N., Nagengast, Wouter B., de Vries, Elisabeth G.E., de Haan, Jacco J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Gut Wall; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Markers; Precision Oncology; Precision Oncology; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Gut Wall; Markers
• ISSN: 0305-7372; 1532-1967
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102406

[Display omitted] •Gut microbiota impacts tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).•The potential role of the gut wall regarding the tumor response to ICI has received little attention.•Selective markers can define gut wall integrity and the intestinal immune system.•Clinical interventions are available that modify key components of the gut wall.•The gut wall’s potential to improve ICI efficacy should be further explored. The gut wall is the largest immune organ and forms a barrier through which gut microbiota interact with the immune system in the rest of the body. Gut microbiota composition plays a role in the strength and timing of the anticancer immune response on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Surprisingly, the effects of gut wall characteristics, such as physical barrier integrity, permeability, and activity and composition of the intestinal immune system, on response to ICI has received little attention. Here, we provide an overview of markers to characterize the gut wall and interventions that can modulate these gut wall characteristics. Finally, we present a future perspective on how these gut wall markers and interventions might be utilized and studied to improve ICI treatment strategies.