Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2025
10:12
Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues
Published on: October 23, 2021
2.7K
Gut microbiota in cancer initiation, development and therapy
Ruyi Zhang1, Xiang Zhang1, Harry Cheuk Hay Lau1
1Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Science China. Life Sciences
|January 17, 2025
Summary
The gut microbiome plays a key role in cancer development and progression. Modulating gut bacteria with probiotics shows promise for cancer prevention and treatment, though more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cancer development is linked to genetic and environmental factors, with gut microbiota emerging as a significant influence.
- Approximately 13% of cancers are associated with infectious agents, underscoring the need to identify specific microbial roles.
- Gut microbiota can impact cancer initiation and progression by affecting oncogenic pathways and immune system activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted role of gut microbiota in cancer.
- To investigate the potential of probiotics and microbial modulation in cancer prevention and treatment.
- To highlight the need for further research into the complex interactions between gut bacteria and cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on gut microbiota and cancer.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which gut microbiota influences cancer growth (e.g., signaling pathways, immune responses).
- Examination of the potential therapeutic applications of probiotics and microbial interventions.
Main Results:
- Gut dysbiosis is implicated in cancer development.
- Probiotics and their metabolites may restore microbial balance and enhance anti-tumor immunity.
- Modifying gut microbiota may help manage cancer treatment side effects.
- The precise effects of probiotics in humans and methods to counteract harmful bacteria require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota significantly influences cancer initiation, progression, and immune response.
- Targeted probiotic therapies and microbial modulation represent promising avenues for cancer prevention and treatment.
- Further research is essential to fully elucidate the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and cancer for improved clinical outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.5K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.5K
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
468
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
468
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.0K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.0K
02:49Cancer Therapies
7.5K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.5K
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
4.7K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
4.7K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.7K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.7K