20 Facts You Should Know About Immunotherapy Treatment

FACT #14:Certain bacteria in our bodies appear to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatment.

Trillions of bacteria in our gut aid digestion and impact our immune system and cancer. The balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in our intestines is crucial for tissue health and colorectal cancer prevention.

Bacteria also influence the immune system's response to tumors. Studies by James P. Allison, PhD, and Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD, found distinct bacteria in patients responding to immunotherapy for melanoma.

Moreover, bacteria can be used as treatments themselves to activate the immune system against cancer, such as BCG for bladder cancer and modified bacteria like CRS-207 for various cancers. Dr. William B. Coley's historic immunotherapy also used bacteria.