Utilizing Gut Microbiota to Improve Hepatobiliary Tumor Treatments: Recent Advances

Abstract

Hepatobiliary tumors, which include cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and gallbladder cancer, are common cancers that have high morbidity and mortality rates and poor survival outcomes. In humans, the microbiota is comprised of symbiotic microbial cells (10-100 trillion) that belong to the bacterial ecosystem mainly residing in the gut. The gut microbiota is a complicated group that can largely be found in the intestine and has a dual role in cancer occurrence and progression. Previous research has focused on the crucial functions of the intestinal microflora as the main pathophysiological mechanism in HCC development. Intestinal bacteria produce a broad range of metabolites that exhibit a variety of pro- and anticarcinogenic effects on HCC. Therefore, probiotic alteration of the gut microflora could promote gut flora balance and help prevent the occurrence of HCC. Recent evidence from clinical and translational studies suggests that fecal microbiota transplant is one of the most successful therapies to correct intestinal bacterial imbalance. We review the literature describing the effects and mechanisms of the microbiome in the gut in the context of HCC, including gut bacterial metabolites, probiotics, antibiotics, and the transplantation of fecal microbiota, and discuss the potential influence of the microbiome environment on cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer. Our findings are expected to reveal therapeutic targets for the prevention of hepatobiliary tumors, and the development of clinical treatment strategies, by emphasizing the function of the gut microbiota.

Association between gut microbiota and hepatocellular carcinoma from 2011 to 2022: Bibliometric analysis and global trends

“…Probiotics can reduce toxic chemical induced hepatocarcinogenesis by rebuilding intestinal homeostasis and improving intestinal and liver inflammation ( 49 ). Research shows that dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota may be one cause of HCC, and probiotics that restore intestinal microbiota function are an effective and safe strategy to treat HCC ( 50 , 51 ). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the transplantation of fecal microbiota suspension from a healthy pre-screened donor to an individual with disease ( 52 ).…”

A Novel Bifidobacterium/Klebsiella Ratio in Characterization Analysis of the Gut and Bile Microbiota of CCA Patients

“…CCA is the second most common primary liver cancer, accounting for about 15%. Most patients with CCA are diagnosed at an advanced disease stage and have a poor prognosis due to a lack of obvious symptoms to promote early diagnosis [ 24 ]. The gastrointestinal system is one of the largest reservoirs of microorganisms in the human body, and it holds both commensal and pathogenic microbial species [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…The F/B ratio has been reported as a potential marker of pathophysiologic conditions [ 44 , 45 ]. The fecal F/B ratio may influence host metabolism and inflammation since it might play a potential anti-inflammatory role [ 46 ], and long-term chronic inflammation is associated with the incidence and development of cancer [ 24 ]. Our study showed that the F/B ratio of the CCA group was significantly lower than that of the HNC group, which is a good way to distinguish a healthy state from a diseased state.…”

Potential tactics with certain gut microbiota for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

“…The source of tumor-associated Th17 cells may be also connected to the gut [22]. In addition, Th17 cells seem to be intensely linked with HCC progression, probably via assisting their angiogenesis [20,23]. Interestingly, probiotic alteration of the gut microbiota could help prevent the occurrence of HCC [24].…”