Gut Microbiota: A Potential Role in Modulating Carcinogenesis and Response to Anti‐Cancer Therapies

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effects of microbiota on cancer are not only limited to their role in oncogenesis, progression and response to anticancer therapies; the disease itself is also influenced by microbiota. In recent investigations, alterations in the gut bacterial community between cancer patients and healthy individuals have been reported. Outcomes targeted to gut microbiota composition, microbial metabolites, immune responses, and other pertinent measures are also aggregated and elaborated in this review. RECENT FINDINGS: Numerous preclinical and clinical experiments have explored the use of gut microbiota as a new research avenue with encouraging outcomes in enhancing treatment efficacy and mitigating side effects related to treatment. The pathophysiology of cancer cells and modulation by microbiomes via many signaling pathways could be useful in determining the role of microbiota in developing novel therapeutic approaches and possible targets for cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Though different bacterial species can cause various clinical outcomes, more research is still required to identify more precise and profound underlying mechanisms in the relationship between gut microbiota and anticancer therapy. This could lead to improved patient outcomes overall and more focused clinical applications down the road.