This week in OncoDaily Immuno-Oncology, emerging research spotlights the next frontier of precision IO — from gut microbiome–driven cancer prevention strategies and novel immunotherapy combinations in head and neck and bladder cancers, to immune-vascular crosstalk in rectal cancer and HPV-linked immunotherapy breakthroughs. Highlights also include mRNA vaccines enhancing checkpoint responses, next-gen CD8-guided immunocytokines, and IL-15–based intratumoral approaches reshaping treatment paradigms. Together, these findings mark a dynamic evolution toward smarter, more integrated immunotherapy.
Rafik Fellague-Chebra (Executive Global Group medical Director, Solid tumors franchise, GI cancers at Novartis Oncology):
“From obesity to cancer: Gut microbiome mechanisms, biomarkers, and U.S. public health strategies.
This recent study analyzed data from over 15,000 individuals and found that specific gut bacteria strains play a pivotal role in regulating metabolism, immunity, and cancer risk.
- Researchers discovered that increased abundance of Bifidobacterium longum 1714 was associated with a 25% reduction in obesity and a 30% lower risk of colorectal cancer development. The underlying mechanisms involve the gut-brain axis, in which B. longum 1714 modulates inflammation and metabolism by producing short-chain fatty acids. This probiotic strain also enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy, adding new possibilities to personalized cancer treatment.
- Akkermansia muciniphila improves insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis
- Faecalibacterium prausnitzii metabolites inhibit tumor growth and metastasis
- Specific gut microbiome profiles serve as reliable biomarkers for early cancer detection
The review calls for personalized, evidence-based interventions that leverage the power of our microbial allies to transform the future of obesity and cancer management.”
Young Kwang Chae (Associate Professor Of Medicine at Northwestern University – The Feinberg School of Medicine):
“Phenomenal plenary Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer by Dr. Saddawi-Konefka MD Anderson Cancer Center! Paradigm shift! Sentinel LNs are crucial for tumor response with immunotherapy – SLND may not be best. LN-sparing XRT before IO + surgery may be key in H&N cancer!”
Jason R. Williams (Chief of Interventional Oncology and Immunotherapy at Williams Cancer Institute):
“TAR-200 shows progress: localized delivery instead of systemic poison. But when they combined it with immunotherapy it got worse, because chemo blocks immune activation. We treat these same BCG-failure patients with intratumoral IL-15, training the immune system to attack cancer instead.”
David Cohn (Chief Operating Officer at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute):
“Our Drug Development Institute continues to bring exciting new treatments to the The James at Ohio State, including this promising immunotherapy for HPV-linked cancers that’s expected to begin clinical testing in 18 to 24 months.”
Ravi A Madan (Clinical researcher at the National Cancer Institute):
“Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy: Time to Move Beyond Checkpoint Inhibitors With new strategies already in the clinic it is time to chart a new path for I/O in Prostate Cancer”
Akash Maniam (Medical Oncologist at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust):
“Our latest paper on perioperative immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
I think the best part of Oncology is the convergence of fields – immunotherapy, targeted therapies, ADCs are no longer the domain of specific tumour sites.
We must all be comfortable administering and managing these therapies and their toxicities.”
Francesca Rosato (Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Center for Immuno-Oncology):
“I’m very excited to share our latest publication in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer – a study that I’ve felt so passionate about from the beginning to the end.
Take a look at the novel combination therapy for checkpoint-refractory head and neck cancers treated with mSTAR1302, Marengo Therapeutics’s selective T cell agonist.
A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible people involved in the project and to my mentors at the Center for Immuno-oncology, National Cancer Institute (NCI) for making the difference when it comes to revolutionary treatments for cancer patients.
Looking forward to the next steps in the clinics!”
Paolo A. Ascierto (Full Professor of Oncology at University of Naples Federico II):
“A Nature study reports that individuals vaccinated with mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines show enhanced responses to immunotherapy in cancers such as melanoma and lung carcinoma, leading to improved survival.
mRNA vaccination may strengthen immune priming, boosting the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapies; a remarkable example of cross-disciplinary impact in medicine.”
Jack (Jie) Huang (Vice President, Executive Director, Editorial Board Member at ABDA):
“This newsletter explores how neoadjuvant therapy (TNT)—a modern treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer—goes beyond simply shrinking tumors and reshaping the body’s immune and vascular systems.
Researchers, using advanced single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis, discovered that TNT reduces immunosuppressive regulatory T cells while expanding IFNG+CD8+ T cells—the body’s most potent anti-cancer cells.
Even more fascinating is that vascular endothelial cells begin to “communicate” with these T cells, thereby enhancing immune activation and anti-tumor effects. This powerful interaction between the immune and vascular systems reveals a new dimension in cancer treatment – not only destroying tumors but also transforming the tumor microenvironment into allies against them.
Therefore, understanding these immune-angiogenic interactions holds promise for inspiring the development of next-generation therapies that combine traditional therapies with immune engineering.”
Mark Cobbold (SVP, IO Discovery & Cell Therapy Oncology at AstraZeneca):
“At SITC25, AstraZeneca will be presenting pre-clinical data on our next-generation CD8-guided immunocytokine molecule. I am pleased to share how we are engineering CD8-guided molecules to potentially boost, extend or redirect the immune system to kill tumor cells. As we venture beyond conventional immuno-oncology methods, I’m excited to highlight the role these approaches could play in our strategy to attack cancer from multiple angles.”
Written by Rima Grigoryan, MDc, Assistant Editor of OncoDaily IO.