Brain Tumors and Beyond: Multi-Compartment Microbiome and Mycobiome Analysis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Microbiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Brain tumors are complex diseases influenced by genetic factors.
• Emerging research suggests the microbiome may impact brain tumor growth and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between bacterial (microbiota) and fungal (mycobiota) composition in brain tumors, surrounding tissues, blood, and gut.
• To understand the distinct roles of bacteria and fungi in the brain tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of bacterial and fungal composition using 16S rRNA and ITS-based sequencing.
• Samples analyzed include tumor tissue, tumor-adjacent tissue (TAT), blood, and gut from five brain tumor patients.

Main Results:

• Gut microbiome and mycobiome exhibited patient-specific signatures.
• Bacterial composition in blood, TAT, and tumor tissue was similar within patients, dominated by specific genera.
• Fungal composition showed diverse, patient-unique patterns across blood, TAT, and tumor tissues, with distinct genera prevalent in tumors.

Conclusions:

• Fungal presence in brain tumors follows a unique pattern, independent of gut and blood mycobiota.
• The influence of the mycobiome on brain tumors is distinct from that of the microbiome.
• Further research into the role of fungi in brain tumors may reveal new therapeutic strategies.