Akkermansia and Cancer Immunotherapy

Akkermansia, a genus of bacteria that is part of the human gut microbiome, has been shown to have potential health benefits and may play a role in the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancer.

Studies have suggested that higher levels of Akkermansia are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, and that Akkermansia may enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. For example, a study published in the journal Nature Communications in 2018 showed that treatment with a combination of a checkpoint inhibitor and a probiotic containing Akkermansia muciniphila enhanced the anti-tumor immune response in mouse models of melanoma and colorectal cancer.

The mechanisms by which Akkermansia may impact cancer risk or treatment response are not fully understood, but it is thought to modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve gut barrier function. In addition, Akkermansia has been shown to enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are known to have anti-cancer effects.

While the research into Akkermansia and cancer is still in its early stages, these findings suggest that Akkermansia may have potential as a therapeutic target for cancer prevention and treatment. However, more research is needed to fully understand the role of Akkermansia in cancer and to identify the most effective ways to manipulate the gut microbiome to enhance cancer treatment.

Until two years ago, there were no Akkermansia supplements; thankfully, there are now.
Reference: Jian Chen, Q. C. (January de 2019). Clostridium butyricum and cancer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy, 11(2), 47-59. doi:10.2217/imt-2018-0091