Short- and Long-term Repercussions of Vancomycin on Immune Surveillance and the Efficacy of Antitumor Treatments

Although antibiotic is a major contributor to shifts in the intestinal flora that may persist for up to several months after cessation, it is now increasingly recognized that its prescription may differentially influence clinical outcome of different anticancer treatments. Intense clinical and basic research efforts aim then at gaining sufficient insights about how the cooperative action between the intestinal ecosystem and immune surveillance modulates the efficacy of anticancer treatments. In this review, we summarize multiple levels of knowledge between vancomycin exposure, the gut microbiota, and a meaningful therapeutic response. Furthermore, we discuss the mode of action of antibiotic therapy that is prescribed for prophylaxis of bacteremia and neutropenia and outline the opportunity for judiciously improving the efficacy of anticancer drugs.