Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM)Microbiome Influencers of Checkpoint Blockade–associated Toxicity

Although immune therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have significantly improved cancer outcomes, these therapies can also cause off-target tissue damage and response variability. The host microbiome affects ICI responsiveness and risk of immune-related adverse effects (irAEs), according to numerous lines of evidence. These developments show the possibility to control microbiome elements to improve the success of ICI because the microbiome is manipulable.