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Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Transformation of Plasmid DNA into E. coli Using the Heat Shock Method
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Bacterial heat shock protein genes during induction chemotherapy in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic

Katherine A Dunn1,2,3, Emma MacDonald1, Tamara MacDonald4,5

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology, Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health, Halifax, NS, Canada.

Future Oncology (London, England)
|January 8, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric leukemia patients undergoing treatment showed changes in bacterial heat shock protein (HSP) genes within their gut microbiome. Specific HSP genes and microbial communities shifted during treatment, suggesting a link between gut bacteria and cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Heat shock proteins (HSP) are known to protect cancer cells.
  • Gastrointestinal bacteria possess HSP genes and can release extracellular vesicles.
  • Treatment-induced stress may alter the gut microbiome, potentially increasing HSP gene abundance and contributing to circulating HSP levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the abundance of bacterial heat shock protein (HSP) genes in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.
  • To analyze changes in these HSP genes and the gut microbial community composition during cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of five bacterial HSP genes in stool samples from 30 pediatric ALL patients.
  • Comparison of HSP gene abundance and microbial community diversity pre-treatment and during treatment induction.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in mean HTPG counts was observed pre-treatment versus during induction (p=0.0024).
  • During induction, HTPG, Shannon diversity, and Bacteroidetes decreased (p=7.5e-4; 1.1e-3; 8.6e-4).
  • Conversely, DNAK and Firmicutes showed an increase during induction (p=6.9e-3; 9.2e-4).

Conclusions:

  • Changes in the gut microbial HSP gene community during leukemia treatment were identified.
  • Further research is needed to determine the role of bacterial HSPs in the tumor microenvironment and their impact on leukemia treatment efficacy.

Keywords:
DNAKHSP70HSP90HTPGacute lymphoblastic leukemiabacteroideteschemotherapyfirmicutesheat shock protein genesheat shock proteinsmicrobiomepediatric

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