VCCC Alliance Melanoma Symposium sponsored by Novartis

A/Prof David Gyorki (VCCC Alliance Research & Education Lead for Melanoma and Skin Cancers) will be joined by a multidisciplinary panel of experts for an insightful look into the role the gut microbiome plays in disease, and how the composition of the microbiome can impact the outcomes of immunotherapy in melanoma patients.

This special event aims to bring together a community of practice to explore a way forward for the translation of research into clinic for interventions targeting the microbiome in melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy.

The gut microbiome

The gut microbiome has been shown to play a significant role in a multitude of human diseases and has become a focus of cancer research over the past five years. There is now strong evidence emerging that suggests that the composition of the gut microbiome impacts outcomes of patients with melanoma treated with immunotherapy.

Studies have shown that distinct groups of bacteria were elevated in patients that responded to immunotherapy and were different to those elevated in patients who did not respond.

A variety of approaches are currently being explored to test whether it is possible to improve responsiveness to immunotherapies by altering the microbiome, including Faecal Microbiota Transplants (FMTs), giving patients more defined groups of bacteria or a single species, and dietary changes.

This symposium will present the current evidence base and explore available and emerging interventions looking at ways of bringing research to practice.

More information: Here