Intratumoural microbiota and the immune system: a new study from the USI-EOC Institute for Translational Research

The Host–Microbiota Dynamics laboratory at the Institute for Translational Research (USI-EOC), led by Professor Giandomenica Iezzi, has published a new study in the scientific journal Cell Host & Microbe. The research was conducted with Elisa Sorrenti as lead author.

The study reveals that bacteria present within tumours—the so-called intratumoural microbiota—can influence how the immune system reacts to cancer. Specifically, the research demonstrates that the interaction between these microorganisms and an individual's genetics can alter the behaviour of neutrophils, immune system cells involved in the inflammatory response.

By analysing colorectal cancer, the researchers observed that this relationship between the microbiota and the host's genetic make-up can help determine how effectively the immune system is able to respond to the presence of a tumour.

These findings open new perspectives for immuno-oncology, suggesting that, in the future, cancer therapies could be developed or personalised by taking into account not only the patient's genetics but also the bacteria present within the tumour.

The full article is available here.