The impact of obesity on the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Prof. Bourquin is a pharmacologist and immunologist, serving as Full Professor and Director of the Institute of Pharmacology at the University of Bern, as well as Senior Consultant in Clinical Pharmacology at Inselspital. She is a dedicated leader in translational research and immunopharmacology, actively bridging fundamental science with clinical application to improve cancer therapies.
Obesity is a well-known risk factor for cancer, yet recent findings suggest it may also improve responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Understanding the biological mechanisms behind this paradox could improve cancer treatment strategies. Our study suggests that estrogen levels could serve as a predictive marker for response to immunotherapy in male patients.
