Opportunities and Challenges of the Human Microbiome in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal malignancy among gynecological cancers worldwide. Most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage because of non-specific clinical symptoms. The human microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiological and pathological state of the body. With the development of technologies such as DNA and 16S rRNA sequencing, an increasing number of findings on the role of microbiome in cancers are being reported. Microbiome abnormalities are increasingly associated with diseases, including cancer development, and response to therapies. Some studies have shown the relationship between microbiome changes and ovarian cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not yet fully understood. Here, we summarize the key findings in this regard by focusing on estrogen metabolism and host recognition receptors in microorganisms and changes in the gut or pelvic microbiome in patients with ovarian cancer. We further discuss the potential of using the microbiome as a novel biomarker for cancers. We also highlight the possibility to use microorganisms as a treatment modality to enhance the immune system, activate anti-tumor response, mediate chemotherapy resistance, and ameliorate the adverse effects of the treatment.

Disruption of the Gut Microbiota Attenuates Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Sensitivity to Cisplatin Therapy

“…Although the underlying mechanisms of ascites development are largely unknown, previous studies have reported that immune cells such as Th17 T cells, NK cells and macrophages found in peritoneal ascites may play a key role in tumor cell invasiveness and growth (27)(28)(29)(30). To this end, we analyzed the immune cell populations within the peritoneal ascites uid through ow cytometry.…”

Three Genes Predict Prognosis in Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer

“…Ovarian cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in women ( Cheng et al, 2020 ). The TME has a major impact on tumor progression, recurrence, and metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis ( Chen et al, 2019 ; Huang et al, 2019 ; Zhang F.-P. et al, 2020 ).…”

The role of the microbiome in ovarian cancer: mechanistic insights into oncobiosis and to bacterial metabolite signaling

“…The activation of TLR2, 4, and 5 culminate in the activation of inflammation-associated cytokine signaling pathways in ovarian cancer and the adjacent tissues, leading to the activation of NF-kappa B signaling (Zhou 2019a ). Other pattern recognition receptors may be involved in ovarian cancer development (Cheng et al 2020 ), but the evidence for their involvement is weak. Tumor-associated macrophages have a pivotal role in driving ovarian cancer development (Xu et al 2019 ).…”

“…Pathogen colonization influences ovarian carcinogenesis, indicating that antibiotic use in ovarian cancer may inhibit cancer cell movement and metastasis formation. However, we are not aware of any dedicated in vivo study to assess this possibility, nevertheless, the literature suggests that antibiotic treatment may impact on the gut microbiome and, hence modulate the polarization of the immune system, and through that inflammation promoting ovarian cancer (Cheng et al 2020 ).…”