Jennifer L.W. Fink

Researchers have found relationships between the oral microbiome and esophageal cancer; between the vaginal and uterine microbiomes and endometrial cancer; and between the gut microbiome and the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.

Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has been hailed as a significant advance in anticancer treatment. Yet only a subset of patients experience long-term cancer remission as a result of these therapies, because a significant number of those who initially respond eventually develop resistance.