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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
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Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

Published on: November 28, 2019

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The microbiome modulates the tumor macroenvironment

Susan E Erdman1, Theofilos Poutahidis2

  • 1Division of Comparative Medicine; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA USA.

Oncoimmunology
|July 23, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Gut microbes influence distant tumors by modulating host immunity and neuroendocrine signals. This research introduces holobiont therapeutic engineering for novel tumor microenvironment treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment is complex, with systemic networks offering therapeutic targets.
  • Emerging research highlights the gut microbiome's role in cancer development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how gut microbes impact distant preneoplastic lesions.
  • To establish a new therapeutic strategy based on host-microbe interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the modulation of host immune and neuroendocrine factors by gut microbes.
  • Analyzed the impact of these factors on preneoplastic lesion fate.

Main Results:

  • Gut microbes significantly alter systemic immune and neuroendocrine profiles.
  • Microbial influence directs preneoplastic lesions towards either malignancy or regression.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota represent a critical factor in determining tumor progression.
  • Holobiont therapeutic engineering offers a novel approach to cancer treatment by targeting the gut-host-tumor axis.
Keywords:
beneficial microbescarcinogenesismicrobiomeregulatory T cellstumor macroenvironment

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