Role of the Microbiota in Lung Cancer: Insights on Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

The microbiota is increasingly recognized as a critical player in cancer onset and progression and response to cancer chemotherapy treatment. In recent years, several preclinical and clinical studies have evidenced the involvement of microbiota in lung cancer, one of the world’s deadliest cancers. However, the mechanisms by which the microbiota can impact this type of cancer and patient survival and response to treatments remain poorly investigated. In this review, the peculiarities of the gut and lung microbial ecosystems have been highlighted, and recent findings illustrating the possible mechanisms underlying the microbiota–lung cancer interaction and the host immune response have been discussed. In addition, the mucosal immune system has been identified as a crucial communication frame to ease interactive dynamics between the immune system and the microbiota. Finally, the use of specific next-generation intestinal probiotic strains in counteracting airway diseases has been evaluated. We believe that restoring homeostasis and the balance of bacterial microflora should become part of the routine of integrated cancer interventions, using probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, and promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Characterization of Lung and Oral Microbiomes in Lung Cancer Patients Using Culturomics and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

“…Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota contributes to carcinogenesis and response to immunotherapy ( 16 , 17 ). While many studies have focused on analyzing the influence of the gut microbiota, its composition differs substantially from that of the lung microbiota ( 18 , 19 ). Although microaspiration commonly occurs in healthy subjects, it is more frequent in those with chronic inflammatory airway diseases ( 20 , 21 ).…”

Microbes for lung cancer detection: feasibility and limitations

“…RR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.2-2.1 in LUAD patients) ( 22 ). In addition to direct carcinogenesis, some microbes can indirectly affect cancer, and the pathological mechanisms of microbial effects on lung cancer have been discussed in several studies ( 23 , 24 ). Microbes have been found to exacerbate lung cancer progression through various processes, including altering host genes, activating oncogenic pathways, developing chronic inflammation, affecting the immune reaction, and generating metabolites ( 25 ).…”

The traditional Chinese medicine and non-small cell lung cancer: from a gut microbiome perspective

“…The gut and the lungs, like all other organs included in the MIS compartments, are mucosally similar, promoting comparable dynamics in the interactions between the immune system and their microbiota. Moreover, they are indirectly connected via the circulatory and lymphatic systems ( Pizzo et al., 2022 ). The lungs do indeed have a specific microbiota.…”