Bacteria living in our gut (the microbiome) can affect how the immune system fights cancer, even in the brain. In cancers like melanoma, patients with healthier gut microbiomes often respond better to immunotherapy. We are studying whether the same is true for glioblastoma.
Our research investigates:
- How antibiotics and other factors that disrupt the gut microbiome might harm immune responses in brain cancer
- Whether restoring healthy gut bacteria could boost the effectiveness of brain tumor treatments
By understanding the “gut-immune-brain” connection, we hope to find new ways to make immunotherapy work better for patients.
Visual abstract of how gut microbiome changes can affect the tumor microenvironment
Eugene Cho presenting her preliminary findings at the 2025 Duke University Poster Session for Biology Graduation with Distinction Candidates