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Effect of Antibiotics on Gut and Vaginal Microbiomes Associated with Cervical Cancer Development in Mice

Tatiana V Karpinets1, Travis N Solley2, Megan D Mikkelson2

  • 1Department of Genomic Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|September 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Broad-spectrum antibiotics alter gut and vaginal microbiomes. Increased vaginal microbial diversity after antibiotic exposure was linked to reduced cervical cancer development in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Antibiotics disrupt gut microbial diversity, causing dysbiosis and immune dysfunction.
  • The effects of antibiotics on vaginal microbial communities and their role in cervical cancer are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of oral broad-spectrum antibiotics on gut and vaginal microbiomes in mice.
  • To determine if antibiotic-induced microbiome alterations influence cervical cancer development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a murine model for oral administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
  • Analyzed changes in gut and vaginal microbial diversity, composition, and sharing.
  • Evaluated cervical cancer development using an orthotopic tumor model.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotics decreased gut microbial richness and diversity but increased vaginal microbial richness and diversity.
  • Beneficial vaginal taxa (e.g., Bacteroides) increased, while pathogens (e.g., Proteobacteria) decreased.
  • Higher vaginal microbiome richness and diversity post-antibiotics correlated with reduced tumor development; no gut microbiome association was found.

Conclusions:

  • Oral antibiotics significantly alter both gut and vaginal microbiomes.
  • Increased vaginal microbial diversity following antibiotic exposure may be protective against cervical cancer development in this model.

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