Project 458818

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer therapy that targets your immune system's natural ability to fight cancer. This treatment has been revolutionary for lung cancer, which is often diagnosed late and is very deadly. However, only a minority of patients respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors so there is a need to identify why some patients benefit and others are resistant. Recent studies have shown that patients with a high body mass index (BMI) show improved survival following treatment with checkpoint inhibitors, compared to patients who are lean. One hallmark of obesity is disturbances in the composition of the gut microbiome - the bacteria and other organisms that live in your intestines. Interestingly, the gut microbiome greatly impacts patient response to checkpoint inhibitors. I am studying the link between obesity, the gut microbiome, and obesity-associated inflammation through their common link: diet. Changing your diet is a rapid, cost-effective, and accessible way to change the composition of your gut microbiome and the functioning of your immune system. This is an immuno-nutritional approach that will maximize the number and diversity of patients who will benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors.