Dr Overman on Future Research Directions in GI Cancer

Michael J. Overman, MD, professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, chair, Division of Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; associate vice president, Research, MD Anderson Cancer Network, discusses future research directions in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

Overman begins by stating that his primary research focus lies within the realm of immunotherapy, with a keen interest in developing robust methods to evaluate responses to immunotherapy and exploring avenues to optimize these responses. One area that holds significant promise is the exploration of endoscopic techniques to modulate immunotherapy responses, particularly through microbiome modulation, he reports. It is widely recognized that the microbiome plays a crucial role in interacting with the immune system, with distinct microbiome compositions influencing the efficacy of immunotherapy, Overman states, adding that this phenomenon is evident in preclinical mouse models and notably observed in patients with melanoma.

Remarkable studies have showcased the potential of microbiome modulation in enhancing immunotherapy outcomes, he continues. For instance, transferring the microbiome from a patient with melanoma who responded to immunotherapy into the colon of a nonresponder has led to a notable fraction of previously unresponsive patients exhibiting positive responses post-treatment, Overman elucidates. This underscores the pivotal role of the microbiome in influencing treatment outcomes and emphasizes the importance of comprehensively understanding and assessing its impact, he notes.

In the pursuit of modulating the microbiome through endoscopic procedures, a significant area of inquiry revolves around identifying the specific components of the microbiome that are critical for eliciting favorable responses, he expands. This avenue represents a compelling frontier within the GI field, with potential implications in oncology and in in other infectious diseases, Overman states. The application of such techniques in cancer care highlights their promising potential and sets the stage for further exploration and discussion in the future, he concludes.