The Microbiome and Genitourinary Cancer: A Collaborative Review

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Genitourinary oncology
• Cancer treatment

Background:

• The human genitourinary microbiome's existence is recently discovered.
• Its role in genitourinary cancers (bladder, kidney, prostate) is under investigation.
• The gastrointestinal microbiota influences drug metabolism and cancer treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize evidence on the genitourinary and gastrointestinal microbiome's role in genitourinary cancer.
• To explore their influence on cancer initiation and treatment response.

Main Methods:

• Literature search conducted up to October 2018.
• Search terms included microbiome, microbiota, and specific genitourinary cancers.

Main Results:

• Preliminary evidence suggests genitourinary microbiota may be causative factors in genitourinary malignancy.
• Gastrointestinal microbes show correlative evidence in dictating cancer treatment response.
• Examples provided where microbiota affect genitourinary cancer drugs, and vice versa.

Conclusions:

• The microbiome's role in genitourinary cancer is an emerging field requiring further study.
• Clinical translation needs microbiome surveillance in trials, metagenomic sequencing, and metabolomics.
• Fecal microbiota transplant trials are underway to enhance immunotherapy.