Does microbiome shift play a role in carcinogenesis? A systematic review

Abstract

Recent scientific advances have presented substantial evidence that there is a multifaceted relationship between the microbiome and cancer. Humans are hosts to multifarious microbial communities, and these resident microbes contribute to both health and disease. Circulating toxic metabolites from these resident microbes may contribute to the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate microbiome and microbial shift contribution to the development and progression of cancer. This systematic review provides an analytical presentation of the evidence linking various parts of the microbiota to cancer. Searches were performed in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EBSCO, E-Journals and Science Direct from the time of their establishment until May 2018 with the following search terms: cancer or human microbe or cancer and human microbiome AND shift in microbes in cancer. The merged data were assessed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cochrane’s Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the bias. Initially, 2,691 articles were identified, out of which 60 full-text articles were screened and re-evaluated. Among them, 14 were excluded based on inclusion/exclusion criteria; eventually, 46 articles were included in the systematic review. The reports of 46 articles revealed that microbial shift involving Candida species, Fusobacterium nucleatum , Porphyromonas gingivalis , Helicobacter pylori and Human papilloma virus ( HPV ) 16 & 18 were most commonly involved in various human cancers. In particular, organisms, such as Candida albicans , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Porphyromonas gingivalis and HPV -16 were found to be more prevalent in oral cancer. The present systematic review emphasizes that the role and diverse contributions of the microbiome in carcinogenesis will provide opportunities for the development of effective diagnostic and preventive methods.

Application of the Extracts of Punica granatum in Oral Cancer: Scoping Review

“…Additional indirect anticancer mechanisms may be the antimicrobial activity detected by Kasimsetty et al, 2007 [ 52 ], with an antiplasmidial action presenting an inhibitory action also against candida albicans; these microorganisms are involved in some forms of oral pre-cancers [ 53 ] and the possibility of keeping them under control with a diet that includes the intake of Punica granatum extracts could be a prevention strategy. It should be added that the antioxidant capacity contained in the extracts of Punica granatum represents a determining factor in reducing the oxidative stress responsible for the mutagenic potential of cancer cells, mutations potentially involving tumor suppressor genes such as p53 [ 54 ] ( Figure 5 ).…”

Prescribing active transport as a planetary health intervention – benefits, challenges and recommendations

“…Exposure to the environmental microbiota changes the human microbiota [31][32][33], and understanding of the relationship between the human microbiome in a range of health conditions is receiving increased attention. There is evidence to suggest an association between the human microbiome and pain [34], fibromyalgia [35], rheumatic diseases [36], psoriatic diseases [37], multiple sclerosis [38], depression [39], anxiety [40], and cancer [41], while studies into faecal microbiota transplants have provided promising results with regards to psychiatric [42], neurological [43], and gastrointestinal conditions [44,45]. If the environmental microbiota contains microbes with human health-giving properties, then these are likely to improve human health.…”

Prevotella intermedia boosts OSCC progression through ISG15 upregulation: a new target for intervention

“…More than 350,000 new cases of OSCC and 175,000 OSCC-related deaths occur each year (Bray et al 2018 ). Possible risk factors include viral infection, fungal infection, and chronic periodontitis (Mallika et al 2020 ). However, at present, the specific pathogenesis of OSCC is still not clear.…”