NL Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
(ISSN: 3108-0502)

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Gut Microbiome and Cancer: Identifying Microbial Signatures, Tumorigenesis Pathways, and Therapeutic Opportunities Across Cancer Development, Progression, and Treatment Response

Author(s) : Adarsh Kumar Pathak*, Deepak Maurya, Kaustubh Srivastava.
DOI : 10.71168/NMP.02.01.124

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Abstract

Background: The gut microbiome has emerged as a pivotal modulator of human health, exerting profound effects on host physiology, immunity, and disease susceptibility. Mounting evidence from translational and clinical studies implicates the gut microbiota in both the initiation and progression of various malignancies, as well as in modifying responses to cancer therapies. Objective: This review aims to critically synthesize recent advances (2019–2026) in understanding the gut microbiome’s role in cancer biology, with emphasis on microbial signatures, mechanistic pathways of tumorigenesis, and translational opportunities for diagnosis and therapy across major cancer types. Methods: We systematically reviewed high-quality original and review literature published between 2019–2026, prioritizing mechanistic, clinical, and translational studies. Select pre-2019 landmark studies were included for essential context. Major focus areas include microbial diversity, cancer-specific signatures, mechanistic pathways (inflammation, metabolites, immune modulation), and the microbiome’s influence on cancer treatment response. Key Findings: Distinct gut microbial signatures are consistently associated with colorectal, breast, lung, hepatocellular, and pancreatic cancers. Mechanistic studies elucidate how microbiota-driven inflammation, microbial metabolites (SCFAs, bile acids, tryptophan catabolites), and immune modulation contribute to tumorigenesis. The microbiome influences chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy outcomes, offering new therapeutic avenues. However, conflicting evidence and unresolved questions persist regarding causality, inter-individual variation, and clinical translation. Conclusion: The gut microbiome is a key player in cancer development, progression, and therapeutic response. Integration of multi-omic, mechanistic, and clinical research will be vital for translating microbiome science into precision oncology. Keywords: Gut microbiome, Cancer, Microbial signatures, Tumorigenesis, Inflammation, Microbial metabolites, Immune modulation, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Radiotherapy, Precision oncology, Translational research.

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