Cited by 1,689Gut microbiota and healthOral microbiology and periodontitis researchCancer Research and Treatments

The microbiome and cancer

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Schwabe, Robert F., Jobin, Christian·2013·Nature Reviews Cancer

Abstract

Microbiota and host form a complex 'super-organism' in which symbiotic relationships confer benefits to the host in many key aspects of life. However, defects in the regulatory circuits of the host that control bacterial sensing and homeostasis, or alterations of the microbiome, through environmental changes (infection, diet or lifestyle), may disturb this symbiotic relationship and promote disease. Increasing evidence indicates a key role for the bacterial microbiota in carcinogenesis. In this Opinion article, we discuss links between the bacterial microbiota and cancer, with a particular focus on immune responses, dysbiosis, genotoxicity, metabolism and strategies to target the microbiome for cancer prevention.

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  • The microbial microenvironment is primarily comprised of intestinal and intra-tumoral microorganisms and their metabolites, which can facilitate or inhibit tumor progression and impact the effectiveness and toxicity of cancer treatments.

    “The microbial microenvironment is primarily comprised of intestinal and intra-tumoral microorganisms and their metabolites, which possess the ability to either facilitate or inhibit tumor progression and impact the effectiveness and toxicity of cancer treatments.329–332”

    From Drug repurposing for cancer therapy (2024) · cites this paper as [332]

    The ‘Cancer-modulating effects of microbiota’ section reports both tumour-promoting and antitumour effects. ‘Microbial-derived metabolism affecting carcinogenesis’ says intestinal microbiota influence the activity and side effects of antitumour drugs. The paper does not establish intra-tumoral microorganisms as a primary component of the microbial microenvironment, and its ‘Open questions’ section says the effect of gut microbiota on antitumour-agent efficacy through immune responses was unknown. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy may adversely influence outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy through modulation of intestinal microbiota, which is a key host determinant of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

    “Exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotic (ATB) therapy may adversely influence outcomes of ICI therapy 2 through modulation of intestinal microbiota, 3 a key host determinant of response to ICIs known to precondition cancer-specific immunity.4”
  • The gut microbiota regulates therapeutic outcome by metabolizing anti-tumoral compounds and by modulating the host immune response and inflammation pathways.

    “In particular, the regulation of such therapeutic outcome is tightly connected with the ability of the gut microbiota to metabolize anti-tumoral compounds, as well as to modulate host’s immune response and inflammation pathways [164].”

    From Gut Microbiota and Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Therapy (2019) · cites this paper as [164]

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Authors
Schwabe, R. F., & Jobin, C.
Affiliations
  • Columbia University (US)
  • University of Florida Health (US)
Corresponding author
  • Schwabe, Robert F.
  • Jobin, Christian
Venue
Nature Reviews Cancer
Published
2013-10-17
Volume
13
Issue
11
Pages
800-812
ISSN
  • 1474-175X (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-1768
OpenAlex
W2016853666
Cited by
1,689
References
205
Citations by year
2026: 87 · 2025: 123 · 2024: 135 · 2023: 141 · 2022: 207 · 2021: 214 · 2020: 150 · 2019: 138 · 2018: 146 · 2017: 103 · 2016: 110 · 2015: 77 · 2014: 54 · 2012: 1
FWCI
7.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Cancer (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01AA020211)
  • National Cancer Institute (U54CA163111)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK047700, R01DK073338, R01DK076920)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Cancer Research and Treatments
Keywords
gut microbiota, carcinogenesis, dysbiosis, host-microbe symbiosis, bacterial sensing, immune response, genotoxicity, host metabolism, cancer prevention, microbiome-targeted therapy
MeSH terms
Animals, Bacteria, Diet, Humans, Immune System, Mutagens, Neoplasms, Symbiosis, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Virulence Factors, Mice, Carcinogenesis, Microbiota

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