Gut microbiota and its therapeutic implications in tumor microenvironment interactions

Abstract

The development of cancer is not just the growth and proliferation of a single transformed cell, but its tumor microenvironment (TME) also coevolves with it, which is primarily involved in tumor initiation, development, metastasis, and therapeutic responses. Recent years, TME has been emerged as a potential target for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the clinical efficacy of treatments targeting the TME, especially its specific components, remains insufficient. In parallel, the gut microbiome is an essential TME component that is crucial in cancer immunotherapy. Thus, assessing and constructing frameworks between the gut microbiota and the TME can significantly enhance the exploration of effective treatment strategies for various tumors. In this review the role of the gut microbiota in human cancers, including its function and relationship with various tumors was summarized. In addition, the interaction between the gut microbiota and the TME as well as its potential applications in cancer therapeutics was described. Furthermore, it was summarized that fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary adjustments, and synthetic biology to introduce gut microbiota-based medical technologies for cancer treatment. This review provides a comprehensive summary for uncovering the mechanism underlying the effects of the gut microbiota on the TME and lays a foundation for the development of personalized medicine in further studies.

Therapeutic Potential of Fungal Polysaccharides in Gut Microbiota Regulation: Implications for Diabetes, Neurodegeneration, and Oncology

“…In addition, the gut microbiota play an integral part in various other illnesses, extending beyond CRC [ 162 ]. Studies have started to reveal connections between gut bacteria and various forms of cancer, such as breast, liver, gastric, and intestinal cancers [ 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 ]. These findings present new possibilities for the development of targeted cancer treatments and prevention strategies, emphasizing the significant impact of our gut bacteria on our overall well-being [ 167 , 168 ].…”

Exploring Gut Microbiota Alterations with Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole and Dexamethasone in a Humanized Microbiome Mouse Model

“…Recent reports indicate that the gut microbiome can influence the response to therapy in numerous cancers, and that antibiotic treatment during immunotherapy attenuates overall survival [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The gut microbiota also can affect the efficiency of chemotherapeutic drugs and various methods of cancer treatment [16,25,26].…”