Tumor-resident microbes: the new kids on the microenvironment block
Open accessAbstract
Tumor-resident microbes (TRM) are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TRM can influence tumor growth, distant dissemination, and response to therapies by interfering with molecular pathways in tumor cells as well as with other components of the TME. Novel technologies are improving the identification and visualization of cell type-specific microbes in the TME. The mechanisms that mediate the role of TRM at the primary tumors and metastatic sites are being elucidated. This knowledge is providing novel perspectives for targeting microbes or using microbial interventions for cancer interception or therapy.
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Tumor microenvironment microbes produce pro-proliferative metabolites.
“These microbes interact with both tumor and immune cells, influencing tumor dynamics by modulating immune responses, producing pro-proliferative metabolites, and reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape of the TME [38–40]”
From Phage therapy in oncology: opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment (2026) · cites this paper as [40]
The 'Effect of tumor microbes on immunity' section says tumor-resident microbes produce metabolites and can induce inflammatory mediators that promote tumor development. It does not say that the metabolites they produce are pro-proliferative; the proliferation it describes is of immune cells driven by inflammatory mediators. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTumor microenvironment microbes influence tumor dynamics by modulating immune responses.
“These microbes interact with both tumor and immune cells, influencing tumor dynamics by modulating immune responses, producing pro-proliferative metabolites, and reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape of the TME [38–40]”
From Phage therapy in oncology: opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment (2026) · cites this paper as [40]
Tumor microenvironment microbes interact with both tumor and immune cells.
“These microbes interact with both tumor and immune cells, influencing tumor dynamics by modulating immune responses, producing pro-proliferative metabolites, and reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape of the TME [38–40]”
From Phage therapy in oncology: opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment (2026) · cites this paper as [40]
Tumor microenvironment microbes reshape the structural and biochemical landscape of the tumor microenvironment.
“These microbes interact with both tumor and immune cells, influencing tumor dynamics by modulating immune responses, producing pro-proliferative metabolites, and reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape of the TME [38–40]”
From Phage therapy in oncology: opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment (2026) · cites this paper as [40]
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Cites
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Phage therapy in oncology: opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment
Mutalik, V. K., Inman, J. L., Chang, H., Arkin, A., & Mao, J.-H. (2026) · Trends in Molecular Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2026.02.001 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
- Authors
- Li, L., Chandra, V., & McAllister, F.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- McAllister, Florencia
- Venue
- Trends in Cancer
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-04
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 347-355
- ISSN
- 2405-8025 (ISSN-L)
- 2405-8033
- PMC
- PMC11006566
- OpenAlex
- W4392055196
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6
- FWCI
- 1.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Trends in cancer (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Digital Commons-TMC (Texas Medical Center) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Andrew Sabin Family Foundation
- NCI
- V Foundation
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
- CPRIT
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Cancer Research and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
- Keywords
- tumor microenvironment, microbiome, metastasis, microbial interventions, cancer therapy response
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Immunotherapy, Neoplasms, Tumor Microenvironment
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