The human body, including the gastrointestinal tract, harbors a diverse and dynamic microbial ecosystem—collectively known as the microbiota—that plays an essential role in digestion, immune regulation, and metabolic homeostasis. Emerging evidence reveals that disruptions in this microbial community, termed dysbiosis, are closely linked to the onset and progression of various cancers. Dysbiotic microbiota can promote tumorigenesis through chronic inflammation, DNA damage, immune evasion, and the production of carcinogenic metabolites such as secondary bile acids and reactive oxygen species. Notably, specific microbes like Fusobacterium nucleatum have been identified as key contributors to cancer development.
Given these insights, targeting the microbiome has gained momentum as a promising avenue for cancer prevention and treatment. Strategies including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, dietary modifications, genetic engineering, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) seek to restore microbial balance, mitigate inflammation, and reinforce mucosal immunity. Furthermore, the microbiota has been shown to influence the efficacy and toxicity of cancer therapies, highlighting its potential role in personalized oncology.
This Research Topic aims to consolidate cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that elucidate the mechanistic links between microbiota dysbiosis and cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. We invite original studies and perspectives addressing:
- The molecular and immunological pathways by which microbial imbalance drives tumorigenesis
- Microbiome-based interventions—including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, dietary approaches, and FMT—as strategies for cancer prevention and therapy
- Identification of microbial biomarkers for early cancer detection, prognosis, and prediction of treatment outcomes
- Host-microbiome interactions influencing responses to immunotherapy and chemotherapy
- Translational and clinical research advancing personalized microbiome-driven approaches in precision oncology
By bringing together multidisciplinary insights, this Research Topic seeks to accelerate the development of innovative microbiome-centered diagnostics and therapeutics that hold promise to transform cancer care.
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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