Bidirectional interaction between intestinal microbiome and cancer: opportunities for therapeutic interventions

Gut microbiota composition influences the balance between human health and disease. Increasing evidence suggests the involvement of microbial factors in regulating cancer development, progression, and therapeutic response. Distinct microbial species have been implicated in modulating gut environment and architecture that affects cancer therapy outcomes. While some microbial species offer enhanced cancer therapy response, others diminish cancer treatment efficacy. In addition, use of antibiotics, often to minimize infection risks in cancer, causes intestinal dysbiosis and proves detrimental. In this review we discuss the role of gut microbiota in cancer development and therapy. We also provide insights into future strategies to manipulate the microbiome and gut epithelial barrier to augment therapeutic responses while minimizing toxicity or infection risks.