Inside the Microbiome: Fiber, Gut Health and Immunotherapy, ft. Dr. Jennifer Wargo

Dr. Patrick Hwu sits down with Dr. Jennifer Wargo, Professor of Surgical Oncology and Genomic Medicine, leader of the platform for innovative microbiome and translational research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to discuss how the tumor microbiome and host factors shape cancer development and response to immunotherapy. Together, they explore the growing evidence that cancer is influenced not only by tumor genetics and the immune system but also by the communities of bacteria that live within and around tumors. Dr. Wargo explains how differences in the gut and tumor microbiome can affect immune activation, potentially altering how well patients respond to treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The conversation highlights how diet, antibiotics, and other environmental exposures may shift microbial composition, which in turn can influence systemic immunity and tumor behavior. They also discuss how this emerging field is opening new possibilities for predicting treatment response and designing strategies to improve immunotherapy effectiveness. What You’ll Learn with Jennifer Wargo • How the gut microbiome affects immunotherapy response. • Why some bacteria help the immune system fight cancer. • How microbes can contribute to treatment resistance. • Why dietary fiber may improve cancer outcomes. • How microbiome-based therapies could shape future treatment.