Cited by 288Gut microbiota and healthOral microbiology and periodontitis researchCancer Risks and Factors

International Cancer Microbiome Consortium consensus statement on the role of the human microbiome in carcinogenesis

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Scott, Alasdair J, Alexander, James L, Merrifield, Claire A, Cunningham, David, Jobin, Christian, Brown, Robert, Alverdy, John, O’Keefe, Stephen J +10 more·2019·Gut

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this consensus statement, an international panel of experts deliver their opinions on key questions regarding the contribution of the human microbiome to carcinogenesis. DESIGN: International experts in oncology and/or microbiome research were approached by personal communication to form a panel. A structured, iterative, methodology based around a 1-day roundtable discussion was employed to derive expert consensus on key questions in microbiome-oncology research. RESULTS: Some 18 experts convened for the roundtable discussion and five key questions were identified regarding: (1) the relevance of dysbiosis/an altered gut microbiome to carcinogenesis; (2) potential mechanisms of microbiota-induced carcinogenesis; (3) conceptual frameworks describing how the human microbiome may drive carcinogenesis; (4) causation versus association; and (5) future directions for research in the field.The panel considered that, despite mechanistic and supporting evidence from animal and human studies, there is currently no direct evidence that the human commensal microbiome is a key determinant in the aetiopathogenesis of cancer. The panel cited the lack of large longitudinal, cohort studies as a principal deciding factor and agreed that this should be a future research priority. However, while acknowledging gaps in the evidence, expert opinion was that the microbiome, alongside environmental factors and an epigenetically/genetically vulnerable host, represents one apex of a tripartite, multidirectional interactome that drives carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION: Data from longitudinal cohort studies are needed to confirm the role of the human microbiome as a key driver in the aetiopathogenesis of cancer.

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  • Increasing data indicate that changes in the intestinal microbiome allow environmental risk factors to initiate and promote colorectal cancer.

    “Increasing data indicate that changes in the intestinal microbiome allow environmental risk factors to initiate and promote CRC.6, 7”
  • Associations have been found between components of the intestinal microbiome and colorectal cancer risk.

    “Researchers have discovered associations between elements of the intestinal microbiome (including specific microbes, signaling pathways, and microbiota-related metabolites) and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).”

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Authors
Scott, A. J., Alexander, J. L., Merrifield, C. A., Cunningham, D., Jobin, C., Brown, R., Alverdy, J., O’Keefe, S. J., Gaskins, H. R., Teare, J., Yu, J., Hughes, D. J., Verstraelen, H., Burton, J., O’Toole, P. W., Rosenberg, D. W., Marchesi, J. R., & Kinross, J. M.
Affiliations
  • Imperial College London (GB)
  • Royal Marsden Hospital (GB)
  • University of Florida Health (US)
  • University of Chicago (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • University College Dublin (IE)
  • Ghent University Hospital (BE)
  • Lawson Health Research Institute (CA)
  • University College Cork (IE)
  • University of Connecticut (US)
  • Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
Corresponding author
Marchesi, Julian R
Venue
Gut
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2019-05-15
Volume
68
Issue
9
Pages
1624-1632
ISSN
  • 0017-5749 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-3288
OpenAlex
W2945346908
Cited by
288
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 8
FWCI
11.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Gut (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
  • Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Cork Open Research Archive (University College Cork, Ireland) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • Spiral (Imperial College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Lenus, The Irish Health Repository (Dr Steevens Hospital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
Cancer Research UK
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
Keywords
human microbiome, carcinogenesis, gut dysbiosis, association versus causation, longitudinal cohort
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, DNA Damage, Humans, Inflammation, Neoplasms, Colorectal Neoplasms, Biomedical Research, Carcinogenesis, Microbiota, Dysbiosis

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