Bringing Microbiome Science into Clinical Practice

Microbiome research is showing promising diagnostic and therapeutic potential in areas like cancer screening, antibiotic resistance, and immunotherapy. However, clinical application remains limited due to biological complexity, lack of standardized methods, small-scale studies, and limited communication between researchers and clinicians. Most doctors also lack training in this emerging field.

Within 5–10 years, microbiota-based tools could become routine in diagnostics—such as using gut profiles for colorectal cancer screening or predicting immunotherapy response. Therapeutically, refined fecal transplants, engineered probiotics, and bacteriophage therapies are advancing, particularly for Clostridium difficile and drug-resistant infections.

To move forward, standardization, better trial design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinician education are crucial. Initial clinical tools may include microbiome-informed colonoscopy screening and personalized immunotherapy strategies, especially in lung cancer and melanoma.

22-06-2025