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The Cancer Microbiome: Distinguishing Direct and Indirect Effects Requires a Systemic View

Joao B Xavier1, Vincent B Young2, Joseph Skufca3

  • 1Program for Computational and Systems Biology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

Trends in Cancer
|February 27, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The human microbiome influences cancer development and treatment response. Further research is needed to understand these complex interactions for new cancer diagnostics and therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbial ecology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer cell biology
  • Computational biology
  • Systems biology

Background:

  • The human microbiome, comprising microbes in and on the body, significantly affects cancer initiation, progression, and immunotherapy response.
  • The precise mechanisms linking the microbiome to cancer outcomes are not fully understood, highlighting a critical knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of the human microbiome in cancer.
  • To identify potential new avenues for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics based on microbiome interactions.

Main Methods:

  • This study emphasizes a systems biology approach, integrating insights from multiple scientific disciplines.
  • Key areas of focus include microbial ecology, immunology, cancer cell biology, and computational biology.

Main Results:

  • The interactions between microbes, diet, host factors, and cancer cells are complex and involve intricate feedback loops.
  • No single factor adequately explains the entire system's behavior, underscoring the need for a holistic view.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of the host-associated microbial communities in cancer necessitates a multidisciplinary, systems biology approach.
  • Further research integrating diverse biological and computational fields is crucial for advancing cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies.

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