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Bacteria in metastatic sites: Unveiling hidden players in cancer progression
Philippe Stevens1, Elena Benidovskaya1, Veronica Llorens-Rico2
1Institut de Recherche Expérimental et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
Bacteria exhibit key features of cancer metastasis, such as motility, invasion, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. They migrate through lymphatic and blood systems, invade metastatic tissues, and alter local microenvironments to support metastatic growth. Bacteria also shape the tumor microenvironment, affecting immune responses and inflammation, which influence tumor progression and therapy response. While they hold therapeutic potential, challenges like contamination and complex characterization persist, necessitating advanced sequencing and research for clinical application.
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