Understanding response and resistance to cancer therapy: Lessons learned from melanoma

Dr Wargo speaks with ecancer at AACR 2017 about understanding the mechanisms of resistance in treating tumours, considering the influence of epigenetics, the tumour microenvironment and microbiota among others. The influence of the microbiome on cancer risk and treatment response was reviewed in an ecancer article last year, and she describes how research in mouse models translates to human trials. Dr Wargo previously discussed the influence of the gut microflora on immunotherapy response at NCRI 2016. She considers faecal transplant, which is proving effective in managing C. diff infections, as a route for treating cancers in the near future. Dr Wargo goes on to discuss presentations from coworkers at the conference, including targeting stage III melanoma with BRAF inhibition before and after surgery.