Revealing the Disturbed Vaginal Micobiota Caused by Cervical Cancer Using High-Throughput Sequencing Technology

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Microbiome Research
• Immunology

Background:

• Cervical cancer is a significant global health issue, necessitating a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis.
• Vaginal microbiota plays a crucial role in women's health and disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between vaginal microbiota composition and cervical cancer.
• To explore potential links between microbial changes, immune status, and cervical cancer progression.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze vaginal microbiota in 90 women across three groups: healthy controls (C), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and cervical cancer (CER).
• Clinical data including HPV infection rates, neutrophil and lymphocyte ratios, hemoglobin levels, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Cervical cancer patients exhibited higher HPV infection rates, increased neutrophil ratios, and elevated SCCA levels compared to healthy controls.
• A significant decrease in beneficial Lactobacillus species and an increase in potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Prevotella spp., Sneathia spp., and Pseudomonas spp. were observed in cervical cancer patients.
• Immune markers like lymphocyte ratio and hemoglobin levels were reduced in the cervical cancer group.

Conclusions:

• Cervical cancer is strongly associated with specific alterations in the vaginal microbiota, characterized by a reduction in probiotics and an increase in pathogens.
• These microbial shifts interact with host immunological changes, suggesting a complex interplay in cervical cancer development.
• Further research into key bacteria involved in cervical cancer pathogenesis is warranted for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.