The Bacterial Role in the Progression of Breast Cancer through Mechanism of Gene Action: Future Prospects with...

Breast cancer is the main cause of death for women, even with major improvements in treatment. Through processes like DNA damage, estrogen metabolism, and immunological regulation, bacterial populations have been shown to have an impact on breast cancer development in recent studies.

This review aimed to examine and evaluate current research on the involvement of bacteria in breast cancer progression, with an emphasis on gene action mechanisms and potential future treatments targeting the microbiome.

A thorough literature analysis was carried out to identify pertinent research published between 1989-2024 across various databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Google, and Scopus.

Bacterial dysbiosis in the gut and breast tissue contributes to the progression of breast cancer through different pathways. Double-strand breaks in DNA are linked to various bacteria, like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Helicobacter pylori, and Fusobacterium, which contribute to genomic instability. Breast cancers are influenced by hormones that are influenced by gut microbiota, namely the estrobolome, which regulates estrogen levels. Bacteria also impact immune responses by preventing anti-tumor immunity. These results suggest that restoring microbial balance to specific bacterial taxa may open up new treatment options. Different genes may contribute to variations, including an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells, while FOXP3+ T cells are linked to shorter relapse-free survival. Understanding the microbiota's role in DNA damage, hormone regulation, and immune modulation is important.

Bacteria contribute significantly to the development of breast cancer through gene-level processes. Probiotics, immunomodulatory techniques, and microbiome-targeted treatments are potential future developments that could improve therapy effectiveness and reduce resistance.