Emulating interactions between microorganisms and tumor microenvironment to develop cancer theranostics

Abstract

The occurrence of microorganisms has been confirmed in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of many different organs. Microorganisms (e.g., phage, virus, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa) present in TME modulate TME to inhibit or promote tumor growth in species-dependent manners due to the special physiological and pathological features of each microorganism. Such microorganism-TME interactions have recently been emulated to turn microorganisms into powerful cancer theranostic agents. To facilitate scientists to explore microorganisms-TME interactions further to develop improved cancer theranostics, here we critically review the characteristics of different microorganisms that can be found in TME, their interactions with TME, and their current applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Clinical trials of using microorganisms for cancer theranostics are also summarized and discussed. Moreover, the emerging technology of whole-metagenome sequencing that can be employed to precisely determine microbiota spectra is described. Such technology enables scientists to gain an in-depth understanding of the species and distributions of microorganisms in TME. Therefore, scientists now have new tools to identify microorganisms (either naturally present in or introduced into TME) that can be used as effective probes, monitors, vaccines, or drugs for potentially advancing cancer theranostics to clinical applications.

Multi-Omics Analysis Elucidates The Immune And Intratumor Microbes Characteristics Of Ubiquitination Subtypes In Lung Adenocarcinoma

“…More and more studies show that microbes play an important role in the progress of cancer [30] . Tumor microorganisms are closely related to tumor microenvironment [31] . Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the microbial composition of the three NMF subtypes.…”

Effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on microbial diversity in TME and engineered bacterial-mediated tumor therapy

“…The microorganisms present in the TME (e.g. viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa), regulate the TME in a species-dependent manner due to the specific physiological and pathological characteristics of each microorganism, thereby inhibiting or promoting tumor growth ( 6 ). Recent studies of cancer-associated microbial communities have enriched the body of knowledge on the interactions between microorganisms, the immune system, and tumor cells.…”

Identification of a novel cuproptosis-related pattern and its tumor microenvironment infiltration characteristics in pancreatic cancer

“…The TME comprises stromal components and cancer cells, including in ltrating immune cells, healthy epithelial cells, broblasts, and extracellular matrix (ECM). Previous studies have proven that the TME plays vital roles in cancer development, promotion, suppression, immune escape, and the response to immunotherapy (Jiang et al 2022;Vitale et al 2021). PC is characterized by immunosuppressive cell in ltration, the absence of penetrating affecting T cells, and a heavy mechanical barrier, all of which result in a high risk of metastasis, recurrence, and insensitivity to immunotherapy (Wood et al 2022).…”