Potential Roles of the Gut Microbiota in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis and Therapeutics

Abstract

The intestinal microenvironment is composed of normal gut microbiota and the environment in which it lives. The largest microecosystem in the human body is the gut microbiota, which is closely related to various diseases of the human body. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common malignancy of the digestive system worldwide, and it has a 5-year survival rate of only 5%. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult, so most patients have missed their best opportunity for surgery at the time of diagnosis. However, the etiology is not entirely clear, but there are certain associations between PC and diet, lifestyle, obesity, diabetes and chronic pancreatitis. Many studies have shown that the translocation of the gut microbiota, microbiota dysbiosis, imbalance of the oral microbiota, the interference of normal metabolism function and toxic metabolite products are closely associated with the incidence of PC and influence its prognosis. Therefore, understanding the correlation between the gut microbiota and PC could aid the diagnosis and treatment of PC. Here, we review the correlation between the gut microbiota and PC and the research progresses for the gut microbiota in the diagnosis and treatment of PC.

Microbiota Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Carcinogenesis through Altered Immune Response

“…H. pylori is considered to be indirectly involved in the onset and progression of PC [ 152 ]. Via PCR, the expression of H. pylori DNA in pancreatic juice or tissue could not be detected in chronic pancreatitis and PC, indicating that H. pylori indirectly triggers the emergence of PC, consistent with other studies.…”

The Role of Microbiota in Pancreatic Cancer

“…There is insufficient evidence on the modulation of the gut microbiota in cancers, mainly regarding other oncological diseases, focusing on the role of well-known tools such as probiotics [ 118 ], prebiotics, and SCFAs [ 14 ].…”

Microbiota in the Natural History of Pancreatic Cancer: From Predisposition to Therapy

“…Secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of the immune system is subsequently triggered. As a final result, an inflammatory process is created that, over time, may be capable of initiating pancreatic oncogenesis [38][39][40].…”

“…In fact, SIBO appears to be able to induce the mutation of the KRAS gene, highlighted in some CP patients, by means of the inflammatory response guided by LPS. This would lead to the subsequent activation of the NF-Kb signaling pathway, resulting in chronic inflammation and oxidative damage [39,53].…”