Author:
Doocey Claire M.,Finn Karen,Murphy Craig,Guinane Caitriona M.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Cancer impacts millions of lives globally each year, with approximately 10 million cancer-related deaths recorded worldwide in 2020. Mounting research has recognised the human microbiome as a key area of interest in the pathophysiology of various human diseases including cancer tumorigenesis, progression and in disease outcome. It is suggested that approximately 20% of human cancers may be linked to microbes. Certain residents of the human microbiome have been identified as potentially playing a role, including: Helicobacter pylori, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Main body
In this review, we explore the current evidence that indicate a link between the human microbiome and cancer. Microbiome compositional changes have been well documented in cancer patients. Furthermore, pathogenic microbes harbouring specific virulence factors have been implicated in driving the carcinogenic activity of various malignancies including colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. The associated genetic mechanisms with possible roles in cancer will be outlined. It will be indicated which microbes have a potential direct link with cancer cell proliferation, tumorigenesis and disease progression. Recent studies have also linked certain microbial cytotoxins and probiotic strains to cancer cell death, suggesting their potential to target the tumour microenvironment given that cancer cells are integral to its composition. Studies pertaining to such cytotoxic activity have suggested the benefit of microbial therapies in oncological treatment regimes. It is also apparent that bacterial pathogenic protein products encoded for by certain loci may have potential as oncogenic therapeutic targets given their possible role in tumorigenesis.
Conclusion
Research investigating the impact of the human microbiome in cancer has recently gathered pace. Vast amounts of evidence indicate the human microbiome as a potential player in tumorigenesis and progression. Promise in the development of cancer biomarkers and in targeted oncological therapies has also been demonstrated, although more studies are needed. Despite extensive in vitro and in vivo research, clinical studies involving large cohorts of human patients are lacking. The current literature suggests that further intensive research is necessary to validate both the role of the human microbiome in cancer, and the use of microbiome modification in cancer therapy.
Funder
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Microbiology (medical),Microbiology
Reference171 articles.
1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, LaversanneSoerjomataram MI, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;0(0):1–41.
2. Sauer AG, Siegel RL, Jemal A, Fedewa SA. Current prevalence of major cancer risk factors and screening test use in the United States: Disparities by education and race/ethnicity. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2019;28(4):629–42.
3. de Martel C, Georges D, Bray F, Ferlay J, Clifford GM. Global burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2018: a worldwide incidence analysis. Lancet Glob Heal. 2020;8(2):e180–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30488-7.
4. Pagano JS, Blaser M, Buendia MA, Damania B, Khalili K, Raab-Traub N, et al. Infectious agents and cancer: Criteria for a causal relation. Semin Cancer Biol. 2004;14(6):453–71.
5. Dalmasso G, Cougnoux A, Delmas J, Darfeuille-Michaud A, Bonnet R. The bacterial genotoxin colibactin promotes colon tumor growth by modifying the tumor microenvironment. Gut Microbes. 2015;5(5):675–80.
Cited by
22 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献