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Published on: June 13, 2020
Immune System Efficiency in Cancer and the Microbiota Influence
Ana Margarida Barbosa1,2, Alexandra Gomes-Gonçalves1,2, António G Castro1,2
1Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) influences cancer immunity and treatment response. Understanding the microbiome
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- The immune system is crucial for cancer prevention.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) can suppress anti-cancer immunity.
- Cancer immunotherapy has increased focus on the TME.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the microbiome's role in cancer immunosurveillance.
- To understand how the TME influences immune responses in cancer.
- To define factors governing the immune system-microbiota-cancer interplay.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on TME, microbiome, and cancer immunity.
- Analysis of how microbial communities affect tumor development.
- Examination of microbiome's impact on cancer therapeutic responses.
Main Results:
- The microbiome influences cancer susceptibility and resistance.
- Microbiota composition affects response to cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- The TME modulates tumor-infiltrating leukocyte differentiation.
Conclusions:
- The microbiome is a key factor in cancer immunosurveillance.
- Understanding the immune system-microbiota-cancer axis is vital for precision medicine.
- Targeting this triad may improve immunotherapy efficacy and reveal new therapeutic targets.
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