Cell
Volume 165, Issue 2, 7 April 2016, Pages 276-287
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Perspective
Microbiome and Anticancer Immunosurveillance

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Anticancer immune responses can be considered a desirable form of autoimmunity that may be profoundly shaped by the microbiome. Here, we discuss evidence for the microbiome’s influence on anti-tumor immunosurveillance, including those that are indirect and can act at a distance, and we put forward hypotheses regarding mechanisms of how these effects are implemented. These may involve cross-reactivity between microbial and tumor antigens shaping T cell repertoires and/or microbial products stimulating pattern recognition receptors that influence the type and intensity of immune responses. Understanding how the microbiome impacts natural cancer immunosurveillance as well as treatment-induced immune responses will pave the way for more effective therapies and prophylactics.

Keywords

cancer
checkpoint blockers
immunotherapy
microbiota
pathogen recognition receptors
tumor-associated antigens
immunity

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