Faecalibacterium prausnitzii promotes anti-PD-L1 efficacy in natural killer/T-cell lymphoma by enhancing antitumor immunity.

BACKGROUND: Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a highly aggressive subtype of lymphoma characterized by a poor prognosis. While immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has emerged as an effective treatment modality for various cancers, its efficacy among individuals is inconsistent and remains suboptimal for the majority of NKTCL patients. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, recognized as a next-generation probiotic with immunomodulatory capabilities, has not yet been fully explored for its potential to influence the outcomes of ICB therapy. METHODS: We established syngeneic tumor-bearing mouse models of NKTCL and treated the mice with an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and F. prausnitzii. Metabolomics analysis was performed to quantify butyrate concentrations in fecal, plasma, and tumor samples from the mice. Furthermore, we used flow cytometry, multiplex immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to assess the effects of butyrate supplementation on antitumor immune responses in mice receiving anti-PD-L1 therapy. Additionally, an antibiotic-pretreated mouse model was utilized to further investigate the influence of F. prausnitzii on the efficacy of ICB therapy. RESULTS: The combination of F. prausnitzii and an anti-PD-L1 mAb effectively inhibited tumor growth, primarily through the action of its metabolite butyrate. Notably, F. prausnitzii-derived butyrate played a crucial role in enhancing the efficacy of ICB therapy by augmenting antitumor immune responses, as evidenced by reduced PD-L1 expression and increased levels of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, prior administration of antibiotics significantly compromised the efficacy of the anti-PD-L1 mAb. However, supplementation with F. prausnitzii mitigated the negative effects of antibiotics and restored the altered gut microbiota in tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of F. prausnitzii in augmenting ICB therapy and presents a novel gut probiotic-centered therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NKTCL.