Harmonizing the Gut Microbiome and Cellular Immunotherapies: The Next Leap in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

The gut microbiome, a diverse community of microorganisms, plays a key role in shaping the host’s immune system and modulating cancer therapies. Emerging evidence highlights its critical influence on the efficacy and toxicity of cell-based immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T cell, natural killer cell, and stem cell therapies. This review explores the interplay between gut microbiota and cellular immunotherapies, focusing on mechanisms by which microbial metabolites and microbial composition impact treatment outcomes. Furthermore, we discuss strategies to leverage the gut microbiome to optimize therapeutic efficacy and minimize adverse effects. A deeper understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and cellular immunotherapies can pave the way for more effective cell-based therapies for cancer.