Metabolism-Driven Modulation by the Human Microbiota: Implications for Cancer Therapy and Emerging Strategies

The human microbiome plays a pivotal role in cancer development, progression, and therapeutic response. Epidemiologic studies have established links between microbiome composition and various malignancies, with specific microbial taxa exerting direct carcinogenic effects or influencing tumorigenesis through metabolite production and immune modulation. While the gut microbiome remains the most extensively studied, emerging evidence highlights the significance of microbiomes in other body sites, including the cervix, lung, and skin, which also modulate cancer risk and progression. These site-specific microbial communities interact with local factors, such as human papillomavirus in the cervix or inflammatory pathways in the lung and skin, contributing to carcinogenesis. Importantly, distinct microbial signatures across these niches serve as promising noninvasive biomarkers for early cancer detection and prognosis, offering improved accessibility and patient compliance compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the gut microbiome influences anticancer therapeutic outcomes, suggesting that metabolism-based interventions targeting microbial-host interactions may enhance treatment efficacy. Integrating microbiome research into oncology presents novel opportunities for advancing personalized cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.