Gut Microbiome and Cancer: The Next Frontier in Research
City of Hope hosted The Next Frontier of Cancer Prevention and Care: The Microbiome, bringing together experts from City of Hope, the NIH, NCI and leading cancer centres to explore how the microbiome may influence cancer risk, immune function, treatment response and long-term health.
The event also convened leaders from major US cancer centres and federal agencies to discuss collaboration, with a focus on supporting cancer research, expanding access to specialist care and clinical trials, and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into improved patient care.
The scientific programme examined the microbiome's role in cancer immunity, metabolism, exercise and nutrition, alongside emerging therapies. City of Hope researchers highlighted work investigating high-fibre diets to reduce complications following bone marrow transplantation, targeted probiotics for metastatic kidney cancer, and microbiome banking to help patients preserve and restore their microbiome during treatment and recovery.
Nutrition also featured prominently, reflecting growing evidence that diet can influence inflammation, immune function, treatment tolerance and recovery in cancer care. Throughout the symposium, speakers emphasised the importance of sustained federal investment in cancer research and the infrastructure needed to deliver advanced treatments and clinical trials.