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Microbiome: a driver of pancreatic inflammation and tumorigenesis

Aftab Alam1, Shyamananda Singh Mayengbam1, Sharon Senchanthisai1

  • 1Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.

Trends in Cancer
|May 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The human microbiome influences pancreatic cancer by altering immune responses and promoting tumor growth. Therapeutic strategies targeting these microbes show promise for improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The human microbiome is vital for physiological processes and homeostasis.
  • Bacterial and fungal species are present in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
  • Intratumoral microbiomes can promote cancer by altering immune responses and creating a protumorigenic niche.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances, limitations, and challenges in studying the intratumoral microbiome in PDAC.
  • To focus on the microbiome's modulation of the immune axis in PDAC.
  • To evaluate current and novel therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome for PDAC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on the intratumoral microbiome in PDAC.
  • Analysis of the role of microbial components in PDAC tumorigenesis.
  • Evaluation of microbiome-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Intratumoral microbiomes contribute to PDAC development by activating oncogenic pathways.
  • Microbes within the tumor microenvironment reprogram innate and adaptive immunity.
  • Therapeutic strategies like microbiome-targeted drugs and engineered microbes are being explored.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the intratumoral microbiome is crucial for PDAC research.
  • The microbiome significantly impacts the immune response in PDAC.
  • Targeting the microbiome offers potential for novel PDAC treatments.
Keywords:
gut and intratumoral microbiomemicrobial migrationpancreatic diseasestherapeutic strategy

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