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Published on: June 13, 2020
Modulating the head & neck microbiome for cancer- prevention
Sherin James1, Akhilesh M Wodeyar2, Akhilanand Chaurasia3
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
Advances in Immunology
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Modulating the head and neck microbiome offers a promising strategy for head and neck cancer (HNC) prevention and treatment. Interventions like diet and probiotics aim to restore microbial balance, reduce inflammation, and boost anti-cancer immunity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- The head and neck microbiome is crucial for epithelial homeostasis and immune surveillance.
- Microbial dysbiosis in oral and gut ecosystems is linked to head and neck cancer (HNC) initiation and progression.
- The microbiome is a modifiable risk factor in HNC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on microbiome-based interventions for HNC.
- To emphasize the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of these interventions.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in microbiome modulation for HNC.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on microbiome-based interventions.
- Analysis of dietary modification, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and lifestyle changes.
- Exploration of mechanistic links between microbial metabolites, immune pathways, and the oral-gut axis.
Main Results:
- Microbiome modulation strategies aim to restore microbial balance, enhance barrier integrity, and reduce chronic inflammation.
- These interventions can strengthen anticancer immune responses.
- Emerging evidence connects microbiome composition with treatment response and toxicity in HNC.
Conclusions:
- Microbiome modulation is a promising, precision-oriented strategy for HNC prevention, risk reduction, and survivorship.
- Further research is needed to address inter-individual variability, site-specific niches, and safety.
- Robust clinical validation is required for widespread application.
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