The microbiota has been considered to play an important role in the occurrence and development of infectious diseases and cancer over the years. It is believed that the intestinal microbiota has a direct impact on the host immune system against infection and cancer. The composition and metabolites of microbiota have been reported to regulate the maturation of the immune system, influence the function of immune cells such as CD4+ T cells, and significantly affect the immune response. Strategies targeting the microbiota and regulating immunity for cancer and infection prevention and treatment are particularly attractive given the high safety profile and low risk of severe adverse effects. This approach can employ various methods such as the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotics, traditional Chinese medicine, and so on. Currently, some research has tentatively shown that regulating microbiota can improve these diseases. However, it is still necessary to understand the mechanism and develop more effective treatment methods.
In this Research Topic, we aim to bring together great insight into the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotics, and so on to treat infectious diseases and cancer by regulating body immunity. In particular, studies addressing the impact of intestinal flora on the immune molecular mechanisms are welcome.
Specially, manuscripts focusing on the following sub-topics are highly welcome:
1. Effects of gut microbiota on immune system maturation and immunoregulation
2. Mechanism by which the immune environment influences the composition and function of the gut microbiome
3. The relationship between gut microbiota and the efficacy of some drugs for infectious diseases and cancer
4. Utilization of gut microbiota to construct biomarkers for early diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancer
5. Effect and mechanism of treating infectious diseases and cancer by regulating gut microbiota
6. The mechanisms by which the gut microbiota contributes to the occurrence of infectious diseases and cancer, with the focus on key pathways such as bacterial dysbiosis, leaky gut, bacterial metabolites, and microorganism-related molecular patterns
Keywords: gut microbiota, immunity, infection, cancer, probiotics
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
