AUTHOR=Zhao Yan , Yang Zhibo , Wu Dan , Zhao Hai 

TITLE=Dissecting the intratumoral microbiome landscape in lung cancer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1614731

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2025.1614731

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=The discovery of microbial communities residing within tumors has unveiled a new dimension of cancer biology. In lung cancer, the intratumoral microbiome—comprising bacteria, fungi, and viruses—has emerged as a critical modulator of tumorigenesis, immune evasion, therapeutic response, and metastasis. This review comprehensively examines the landscape of the lung tumor microbiota, highlighting its mechanistic roles in shaping the tumor microenvironment, altering host immune responses, and reprogramming of cancer metabolism. We discuss the influence of specific microbial taxa on immunotherapeutic efficacy, including their interplay with immune checkpoints and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. Moreover, we evaluate current evidence linking microbial signatures for diagnostic and prognostic applications, emphasizing their potential in biomarker discovery and precision oncology. By integrating findings from molecular epidemiology, multi-omics profiling, and preclinical models, this review provides a translational framework for leveraging the tumor-resident microbiota as both a within tumors, we may develop new microbiome-based strategies. These strategies could improve treatment outcomes and help overcome resistance to immunotherapy.