The rich presence of a specific bacteria in intestinal flora was linked with improved relapse/progression of disease after allo-HCT, according to a retrospective discovery-validation cohort study involving 541 individuals.

Investigators analyzed the intestinal microbiota of participants admitted for allo-HCT. They looked at the link between microbiota and disease relapse/progression during 2 years of follow-up. Among the results:

• Higher abundance of bacteria made up primarily of Eubacterium limosum was linked with a decreased risk of disease relapse/progression.
• In patients without the bacteria, 2-year relapse/progression rate was ~34%, vs 20% in those with the bacteria.
• These links were strongest in recipients of T-cell–replete allografts.

The authors concluded that presence of the bacteria might serve as a potential biomarker to prevent relapse and improve survival.