Cancer treatment linked to the gut

Cancer patients respond best to treatment when they have the right cocktail of bacteria in their guts, new research has suggested.

Two studies found the gut’s “microbiome” – the bacteria, viruses and other bugs in the digestive system – can determine whether tumours will shrink when treated with immunotherapy drugs.

The studies carried out in the US and France relate to PD-1 inhibitors, which prevent tumours hoodwinking the body’s immune system into thinking they are healthy cells.