Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Exercise-Induced Formate from Gut Microbes Enhances Cancer Immunotherapy

The metabolite amplifies CD8 T-cell potency, boosting checkpoint inhibitor efficacy

Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • In melanoma-bearing mice, a four-week exercise regimen shrank tumors and extended survival but lost its effect when gut microbes were removed
  • Machine learning analysis pinpointed formate as the key exercise-induced microbial metabolite driving anti-tumor CD8 T-cell activity
  • Daily oral formate in mouse models of melanoma, adenocarcinoma and lymphoma markedly inhibited tumor growth and strengthened responses to checkpoint inhibitors
  • In advanced melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy, higher blood formate levels correlated with longer progression-free survival
  • Fecal transplants from high-formate donors enhanced T-cell activation and tumor control in mice, and researchers are now assessing formate as an adjuvant therapy