Bacterial metabolites: Effects on the development of breast cancer and therapeutic efficacy (Review)

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oncology
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Gut metabolites play a significant role in breast cancer (BC) and its treatment.
• The precise mechanisms by which these metabolites influence BC are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current literature on the roles of microbial metabolites in breast cancer (BC) development and treatment response.
• To evaluate the impact of specific microbial metabolites on the BC microenvironment and disease progression.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on gut microbial metabolites and breast cancer.
• Analysis of the mechanisms by which metabolites affect BC invasion, metastasis, and recurrence.
• Examination of metabolite interactions with chemotherapeutic drug pharmacokinetics.

Main Results:

• Microbial metabolites such as secondary bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and others are crucial in the BC microenvironment.
• These metabolites promote BC invasion, metastasis, and recurrence by affecting cellular movement, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell function, and diapedesis.
• Certain metabolites (e.g., trimethylamine N-oxide, L-norvaline) can alter the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy drugs.

Conclusions:

• Microbial metabolites and bacteriocins are implicated in BC carcinogenesis, development, and metastasis.
• These findings suggest potential new insights for BC treatment strategies.
• Microbial metabolites represent promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer.