fecal microbiota transplant (UPMC Hillman Cancer Center)

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is an investigational live biotherapeutic product being studied to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in cancer patients. In the context of melanoma, FMT, derived from healthy donors or from patients who have previously responded to immunotherapy, is administered to patients with advanced melanoma who are resistant to anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab or nivolumab. [1, 2, 5] The procedure aims to modulate the patient's gut microbiome, as its composition is correlated with the efficacy of immunotherapy. [2, 5] By introducing a favorable microbial community, FMT has been shown in clinical trials to reprogram the tumor microenvironment, increase the activation of tumor-fighting CD8+ T cells, and ultimately induce a clinical response in a subset of previously resistant patients. [2, 3, 5] The research, prominently featuring investigator Dr. Diwakar Davar from the University of Pittsburgh, has shown this approach to be well-tolerated. [1, 2] Administration can be via oral capsules or colonoscopy. [4, 8]

Other names

FMTfecal transplanthdFMThealthy donor fecal microbiota transplantresponder-derived fecal microbiota transplantation