This webinar focuses on the complex relationship between cancer development and the human microbiome, and how understanding this interplay might improve prevention and treatment strategies.
In the first half of the webinar, Dr. Rafik Fellague-Chebra, an executive global group medical director at Novartis with over two decades of experience in oncology, begins by reviewing the fundamental hallmarks of cancer—such as sustained proliferation, evading immune surveillance, and promoting angiogenesis. He introduces the concept of the “oncobiome,” describing how imbalances in gut microbes and other microorganisms can contribute to cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy. He discusses how certain bacterial species and their metabolites may foster tumor growth and metastasis, while others could enhance immune responses or even improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Finally, he explores emerging therapeutic approaches—such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transplants, and personalized microbiome interventions—that may one day help predict, prevent, and more effectively treat cancer.
In the second half of the webinar, Dr. Jens Puschhof from the German Cancer Research Center focuses on leveraging advanced Organ-Chip models to dissect the impact of the microbiome on cancer progression. These engineered microfluidic platforms replicate key aspects of human organs and tumors, allowing precise control of the cellular environment and microbial composition. By integrating organoids derived from patient samples with specific microbial communities, his research illuminates the intricate cellular and molecular dialogues that drive tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment response. Through these highly physiologically relevant models, Dr. Puschhof’s work aims to identify actionable microbial factors and pathways, ultimately enabling better prediction of therapeutic outcomes and more effective, personalized cancer interventions.