Emerging role of human microbiome in cancer development and response to therapy: special focus on intestinal microflora

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on the impact of microbial populations inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract on human health and disease. According to the involvement of microbiota in modulating physiological processes (such as immune system development, vitamins synthesis, pathogen displacement, and nutrient uptake), any alteration in its composition and diversity (i.e., dysbiosis) has been linked to a variety of pathologies, including cancer. In this bidirectional relationship, colonization with various bacterial species is correlated with a reduced or elevated risk of certain cancers. Notably, the gut microflora could potentially play a direct or indirect role in tumor initiation and progression by inducing chronic inflammation and producing toxins and metabolites. Therefore, identifying the bacterial species involved and their mechanism of action could be beneficial in preventing the onset of tumors or controlling their advancement. Likewise, the microbial community affects anti-cancer approaches’ therapeutic potential and adverse effects (such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy). Hence, their efficiency should be evaluated in the context of the microbiome, underlining the importance of personalized medicine. In this review, we summarized the evidence revealing the microbiota's involvement in cancer and its mechanism. We also delineated how microbiota could predict colon carcinoma development or response to current treatments to improve clinical outcomes.

Polysaccharide-Based Edible Gels as Functional Ingredients: Characterization, Applicability, and Human Health Benefits

“…The compositional and functional disequilibrium of the gut ecosystem, known as dysbiosis, is accountable for the disclosure of several diseases from neurological affections [ 130 , 131 ], to the liver [ 132 ], cardiovascular [ 133 ], autoimmune diseases [ 134 ], food allergies [ 135 ], diabetes [ 136 ], obesity [ 137 ], cancer development [ 138 ], decreased calcium absorption [ 139 ], and even influence the severity of infectious disease such as COVID-19 [ 140 , 141 ]. The applicability of these compounds can exert an alleged “prebiotic” outcome on the health of humans and animals.…”

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, Gut Microbiota, and Human (In)Fertility—It Is Time to Consider the Triad

“…The GM is a potential controller of wellness and disease. As demonstrated by experimental, clinical, and epidemiological evidence, a dysbiotic microbiota (i.e., a microbiota that deviates from the “eubiotic” status in terms of diversity and functionality [ 11 ]) is implicated in a range of diseases in adults, including inflammatory bowel disease [ 12 , 13 ], arthritis [ 14 ], cancer [ 15 ], neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders [ 16 ], cardiometabolic [ 17 ] and cardiovascular [ 18 ] disease, obesity [ 19 ], type 2 diabetes [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], and, as detailed below, infertility.…”

Gut microbiome and neurosurgery: Implications for treatment

“…Many studies report an existing relationship between the gut microbiome and human cancer development, including brain tumours. 157 - 159 Animal models demonstrated that gut microbiome-driven changes to microglia in the CNS have a direct impact on CNS disease. 160 Such changes are either direct or indirect.…”