Microbiome and Cancer

Question 1

Why study the link between microbiomes and cancer

Answer 1

• Investigating the microbiomes influence on cancer could lead to:
  1. New preventative strategies
  2. Early detection methods
  3. Innovative Treatments
  4. Correlation between specific microbiomes are cancer types

Question 2

link between microbiomes and cancer - colorectal cancer

Answer 2

• gut microbiome
• Fusobacterium nucleatum present in high levels in colorectal cancer tissue

Question 3

link between microbiomes and cancer - head/neck cancer

Answer 3

• oral microbiome
• Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum have been associated with increased risk of neck and throat cancers

Question 4

link between microbiomes and cancer - cervical cancer

Answer 4

• vaginal microbiome
• Persistent HPV infection is the
  primary cause of cervical cancer

Question 5

mechanisms between microbiome and cancer

Answer 5

• chronic inflammation
• metabolic effects
• toxins and carcinogens

Question 6

mechanisms - chronic inflammation

Answer 6

• Dysbiosis can lead to chronic inflammation
• Inflammatory responses can cause DNA damage and promote an environment conductive to cancer cell growth.

Question 7

mechanisms - metabolic effects

Answer 7

Bacterial metabolites can promote cancer by altering cellular signaling pathways or causing direct DNA damage

Question 8

mechanisms - toxins and carcinogens

Answer 8

Colibactin, from E. Coli strains, is a carcinogen toxins that induces DNA damage and contribute to cancer development

Question 9

Microbiome and Cancer Therapies

Answer 9

• chemotherapy
• Probiotics and Prebiotics
• Fecal Microbiota Transplant

Question 10

cancer therapies - chemotherapy

Answer 10

• people with low microbial diversity will have worse side effects
• people with high microbial diversity will have less side effects and may becomes cured faster

Question 11

cancer therapies - probiotics and prebiotics

Answer 11

• Potential adjuncts cancer therapy
• Help restore balance to the microbiome and improve treatment outcomes

Question 12

cancer therapies - fecal microbiota transplant

Answer 12

it can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy, especially for patients who did not initially respond

Question 13

future directions

Answer 13

• personalized medicine
• microbiomes as a diagnostic tool
• potential microbiome-based research

Question 14

future directions - personalized medicine

Answer 14

• microbiomes of individuals can be profiled to personalize treatment strategies by:
  1. Personalizing diets
  2. Probiotics
  3. Therapies based on the individual’s microbiome composition

Question 15

future directions - diagnosis tool

Answer 15

The use of microbial signatures is being explored to detect cancer early

Question 16

future directions - potential microbiome-based research

Answer 16

Engineered bacteria are being developed to target tumors directly

Question 17

challenges in research

Answer 17

• High variability in microbiomes across individuals
• Ethical concerns regarding microbiome manipulation