Oropharynx microbiota transitions in hypopharyngeal carcinoma treatment of induced chemotherapy followed by surgery

Abstract

Aims To analyze changes in oropharynx microbiota composition after receiving induced chemotherapy followed by surgery for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) patients. Methods Clinical data and swab samples of 38 HPSCC patients (HPSCC group) and 30 patients with benign disease (control group, CG) were enrolled in the study. HPSCC group was stratified into two groups: induced chemotherapy group (IC) of 10 patients and non-induced chemotherapy group (nIC) of 28 patients. The microbiota from oropharyngeal membrane was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Results Alpha-diversity (Shannon and Ace indexes) and weighted UniFrac based beta-diversity severely decreased in the HPSCC group when compared with CG. In pre-operative comparisons, PCoA and NMDS analyses showed microbial structures in the IC group were more similar to CG than nIC. Both IC group and nIC group yielded significantly diverse post-operative communities in contrast to their pre-operative counterparts, evident by the decrease in genera Veillonella and Fusobacterium and increase in genera Streptococcus and Gemella. Given that post-operative oropharynx microbiota showed no difference between IC and nIC groups, the IC group showed less accumulation in anaerobic communities. The abundance of genera Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Actinomyces were enhanced in the advanced stages (III/IV). Conclusions Oropharynx microbiota in the HPSCC group presents dysbiosis with low diversity and abundance. Induced chemotherapy is beneficial in adjusting the oropharynx microbial environment leading to fewer amounts of anaerobe accumulation after operation. Higher amounts of Fusobacterium in advanced stages (III/IV) may influence the progression of HPSCC.

Fusobacterium nucleatum impairs DNA mismatch repair and stability in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

“…In East Asia, approximately one‐quarter of all carcinoma cases can be attributed to microbial infection, presenting a neoplastic burden of 1.1 million cases/year 4 . Emerging evidence indicates that an increased Fusobacterium abundance is associated with various carcinomas, 5,6 which is in line with our previous 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene‐based high‐throughput pyrosequencing analysis demonstrating the high abundance of Fusobacterium in HNSCC tissues and swabs 7–11 . Moreover, Fusobacterium is found in liver, lung, and lymph node metastatic tissues, suggesting a vital role for this bacterium in tumor progression 12–14 .…”

“…4 Emerging evidence indicates that an increased Fusobacterium abundance is associated with various carcinomas, 5,6 which is in line with our previous 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene-based high-throughput pyrosequencing analysis demonstrating the high abundance of Fusobacterium in HNSCC tissues and swabs. [7][8][9][10][11] Moreover, Fusobacterium is found in liver, lung, and lymph node metastatic tissues, suggesting a vital role for this bacterium in tumor progression. [12][13][14] Therefore, the role of Fusobacterium in HNSCC initiation and development is attracting considerable critical attention.…”

Fusobacterium nucleatum facilitates proliferation and autophagy by activating miR-361-3p/NUDT1 axis through oxidative stress in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

“…The oropharynx microbiota in HPSCC patients exhibits dysbiosis characterized by reduced diversity and abundance [ 29 ]. Fusobacterium is a resident bacterium in oral cavity.…”

Oral microbiota in oropharyngeal cancers: Friend or foe?

“…What is generally known in dentistry is that oral hygiene should have a major impact on the prevention of oral diseases, even including cancer, and actually many experts are wondering if oral bacteria can be considered as direct causative agents promoting oropharyngeal tumors (1)(2)(3)(4). Moreover, teeth and gums associated pathologies, e.g.…”