Microbiota Transplant to Cancer Patients Who Have Failed Immunotherapy Using Faeces From Clinical Responders

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has shown remarkable clinical efficacy against several cancer forms. This includes durable responses in patients with metastatic cancers and no other effective treatment options. However, many patients do not respond. This leaves a major challenge; how to turn non-responders into responders. Herein, this challenge is addressed, by attempting to modulate patients' intestinal microbiota through Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT). Data from several preclinical and translational studies have indicated that the microbiota composition is important for the effect of ICIs. Moreover, two recent trials exploring FMT for melanoma patients have suggested acceptable safety and a potential clinical benefit.