Intestinal microbiome analyses identify melanoma patients at risk for checkpoint-blockade-induced colitis

The composition of the intestinal microbiota influences the development of inflammatory disorders. However, associating inflammatory diseases with specific microbial members of the microbiota is challenging, because clinically detectable inflammation and its treatment can alter the microbiota's composition. Immunologic checkpoint blockade with ipilimumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) signalling, is associated with new-onset, immune-mediated colitis. Here we conduct a prospective study of patients with metastatic melanoma undergoing ipilimumab treatment and correlate the pre-inflammation faecal microbiota and microbiome composition with subsequent…

• BS
  Bristol-Myers Squibb
• MS
  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

  Award: P30CA008748
• TF
  Tow Foundation
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: P30CA008748, RO1 AI42135
• WC
  Weill Cornell Medical College
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences