Microbiota in the Tumor Metastatic Cascade: Emerging Evidence Across Invasion, Circulation, and Colonization

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Microbiology
• Cancer Metastasis Research

Background:

• The gut microbiota's role in cancer development is increasingly recognized.
• Emerging evidence links microbial communities to cancer metastasis.
• The metastatic cascade involves complex interactions between cancer cells and their environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent advances in understanding the microbiota's influence on cancer metastasis.
• To provide a unified framework for the stages of metastasis: invasion, circulation, and colonization.
• To highlight specific microbial taxa associated with metastatic progression.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing preclinical and clinical evidence.
• Analysis of studies linking specific microbial taxa to metastasis.
• Framework-based organization of findings according to metastatic stages.

Main Results:

• Specific bacteria, including Fusobacterium nucleatum, promote metastasis.
• Microbiota can facilitate local invasion, hematogenous dissemination, and distant colonization.
• Mechanisms of microbiota-driven metastasis are context- and cancer-type dependent.

Conclusions:

• The microbiota is a significant factor in cancer metastasis across all stages.
• Further research is needed to establish causality and address limitations in current studies.
• Understanding microbiota-cancer interactions is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.