Gut microbio-me and pancreatic cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) incidence is increasing worldwide, with high rates in the Czech Republic.
• Early-stage PDAC often presents with distant metastases, leading to a poor prognosis despite advances in cancer research.
• The microbiome, including gut and oral microbiota, plays a crucial role in host health and disease, with dysbiosis linked to various conditions, including cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of microbiome alterations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) pathogenesis.
• To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome to improve PDAC outcomes.
• To highlight the connection between gut and oral microbiome dysbiosis and PDAC development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the microbiome in pancreatic cancer.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which microbial dysbiosis may contribute to carcinogenesis.
• Synthesis of current research on the involvement of specific bacteria (e.g., Porphyromonas gingivalis) in PDAC.

Main Results:

• Microbial dysbiosis can induce carcinogenesis through inflammation, immune evasion, and genomic alterations via microbial metabolites.
• Specific bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacteria, and Prevotella, are implicated in the development of PDAC.
• The gut and oral microbiomes are increasingly recognized as significant factors in PDAC development.

Conclusions:

• The microbiome represents a promising avenue for understanding and potentially treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
• Targeting microbial dysbiosis could offer novel therapeutic approaches to reduce PDAC incidence and improve patient prognosis.
• Further research into the complex interactions between the microbiome and PDAC is warranted.