Host Microbiomes in Tumor Precision Medicine: How far are we?
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Published on: June 3, 2022
Federica D'Amico1,2, Monica Barone1,2, Teresa Tavella2
1Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy.
Abstract:
The human gut microbiome has received a crescendo of attention in recent years due to the countless influences on human pathophysiology, including cancer. Research on cancer and anticancer therapy is constantly looking for new hints to improve the response to therapy while reducing the risk of relapse. In this scenario, the gut microbiome and the plethora of microbial-derived metabolites are considered a new opening in the development of innovative anticancer treatments for a better prognosis. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of the gut microbiome in the onset and progression of cancer, as well as in response to chemo-immunotherapy. Recent findings regarding the tumor microbiome and its implications for clinical practice are also commented on. Current microbiome-based intervention strategies (i.e., prebiotics, probiotics, live biotherapeutics and fecal microbiota transplantation) are then discussed, along with key shortcomings, including a lack of long-term safety information in patients who are already severely compromised by standard treatments. The implementation of bioinformatic tools applied to microbiomics and other omics data, such as machine learning, has an enormous potential to push research in the field, enabling the prediction of health risk and therapeutic outcomes, for a truly personalized precision medicine.
Insights
The gut microbiome influences cancer development and treatment response. Microbiome-based therapies offer new avenues for cancer treatment and personalized medicine, but require further safety research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- The human gut microbiome plays a critical role in health and disease, including cancer.
- Understanding the gut microbiome's influence is key to improving cancer therapy outcomes.
- Microbial metabolites are emerging as crucial factors in cancer development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on the gut microbiome's role in cancer onset, progression, and treatment response.
- To discuss the implications of tumor microbiome research for clinical practice.
- To explore microbiome-based interventions and their challenges.
Main Methods:
- This study is a narrative review of existing literature.
- It synthesizes findings on the gut microbiome's impact on cancer.
- It analyzes current and future microbiome-based therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- The gut microbiome significantly influences cancer development and response to chemo-immunotherapy.
- Tumor microbiome research offers new clinical insights.
- Microbiome-based interventions like prebiotics and probiotics show promise but need more safety data.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome is a vital factor in cancer pathophysiology and therapeutic response.
- Microbiome-based strategies hold potential for innovative cancer treatments and personalized medicine.
- Further research is needed to address safety concerns and leverage bioinformatic tools for predictive outcomes.
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