Intratumoural microbiome can predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery

Abstract

Background The dismal prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with characteristics of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Recent studies have confirmed the presence and potential influence of the microbiome in TME on cancer progression. Elucidating the relationship between microbes in the TME and cancer could provide valuable insights into novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for HCC and thus warrants a closer investigation of the role of intratumoural microbiome in the HCC TME. Methods We determined the presence of intratumoural microbiome using fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and explored the microbial community profiles in the HCC TME in paired tumour and adjacent normal tissues using 16S rDNA sequencing. Microbial signatures were characterised in the paired group, and their correlation with clinical characteristics was further investigated. We clustered the microbial signatures of tumour tissues by hepatotypes, and further analysis was performed to elucidate the independent prognostic value of the hepatotypes. Results This study revealed that microbial profiles and community networks differed notably between tumours and adjacent normal tissues. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in the HCC TME. The TME microbial profiles also revealed heterogeneities between individuals and between multiple tumour lesions. Clustering of the microbial profiles into two hepatotypes revealed different microbial network patterns. Additionally, the hepatotypes were revealed to be independent prognostic factors in patients with resected HCC. Conclusions Our study illuminates the microbial profiles in the TME of HCC and presents the hepatotype as a potential independent biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HCC after surgery.

Exploring Gut Microbiome Composition and Circulating Microbial DNA Fragments in Patients with Stage II/III Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis

“…This raises the intriguing possibility of employing microbial DNA detection as a non-invasive prognostic marker for CRC, offering clinical benefits such as early intervention and treatment stratification. The potential use of microbial markers as prognostic indicators in patients with CRC is in accordance with the broader concept of microbial signatures for predicting patient outcomes [41][42][43][44][45]. Identifying highrisk patients who could benefit from more aggressive treatment is a common objective.…”

Ascitic microbiota alteration is associated with portal vein tumor thrombosis occurrence and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

“…The inclusion criteria for patients with ascites secondary to HCC were as follows ( 40 , 41 ): (i) patients were pathologically diagnosed with HCC and were confirmed by examination by one or more pathologists; (ii) patients were diagnosed with peritoneal fluid and underwent abdominal paracentesis; (iii) tumor cells were found in the peritoneal fluid by cytological examination; (iv) patients’ clinical data are available in the Electronic Medical System. The exclusion criteria for patients with ascites secondary to HCC were as follows: (i) patients with benign ascites, such as renal insufficiency, and hypoproteinemia; (ii) patients with pleural effusion; (iii) patients with a history of other cancers within the past 5 years; (iv) patients with false-malignant ascites after a combined course of chemotherapy; (v) patients with incomplete clinical information.…”

Intratumoural microbiota: a new frontier in cancer development and therapy

“…Sun et al identified two hepatotypes based on the microbial profile clustering, representing independent prognostic factors in patients with resected HCC. 267 Song et al developed a microbiome-related score model based on 27 microorganisms that acted as an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients. 268 …”