Tumor-resident microbiota in gynecologic malignancies: Molecular mechanisms, clinical correlations, and translational...

Intratumoral microbiota refers to the microbial communities, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, residing within tumor tissues and forming part of the tumor microenvironment. Evidence shows that it significantly influences solid tumors like colorectal and breast cancer. Advances in sequencing have revealed the specific distribution of these microbes in gynecologic malignancies. Their dynamic composition is closely linked to tumor initiation, progression, and response to therapy, providing new insights for precision medicine. This review examines their molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance, focusing on impacts on diagnosis (e.g., microbial biomarkers), personalized treatment (e.g., modulation of chemotherapy/immunotherapy efficacy), and prognosis (e.g., recurrence risk prediction). It also discusses the translational potential and clinical application challenges of targeting microbiota, aiming to provide new strategies for precision medicine in gynecologic oncology.