Clinical applications of gut microbiota in cancer biology

Publication date: Available online 18 May 2018 Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology Author(s): Sunny H. Wong, Thomas N.Y. Kwong, Chun-Ying Wu, Jun Yu The involvement of microorganisms in cancer has been increasing recognized. Collectively, microorganisms have been estimated to account for ~20% of all cancers worldwide. Recent advances in metagenomics and bioinformatics have provided new insights on the microbial ecology in different tumors, pinpointing the roles of microorganisms in cancer formation, development and response to treatments. Furthermore, studies have emphasized the importance of host-microbial and inter-microbial interactions in the cancer microbiota. These studies have not only revolutionized our understanding of cancer biology, but also opened up new opportunities for cancer prevention, diagnosis, prognostication and treatment. This review article aims to summarize the microbiota in various cancers and their treatments, and explore clinical applications for such relevance.
Source: Seminars in Cancer Biology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research