Summary
This narrative review synthesises recent evidence on the tumour microbiome—the commensal and pathogenic microbial communities residing within tumours—and their roles in tumourigenesis, immune regulation, and cancer treatment response. The authors document microbiome variation across cancer types and discuss emerging therapeutic strategies including engineered tumour-targeting bacteria and antimicrobial agents. The work positions the tumour microbiome as both a mechanistic target for intervention and a potential clinical biomarker.
UK applicability
The findings are internationally relevant to UK clinical oncology and microbiome research, though implementation of microbiome-targeted therapies would require adaptation to UK healthcare pathways and regulatory frameworks. UK cancer centres and research institutions could incorporate tumour microbiome profiling into stratification and treatment protocols, pending further clinical evidence.
Key measures
Tumour microbiome composition and diversity; local immune regulation; treatment response modulation; biomarker potential
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews tumour microbiome (TM) distribution across cancer types (pancreatic, lung, breast), its correlation with clinical features, and its effects on local immunity and drug treatment efficacy. It describes TM as a potential biomarker and discusses engineered bacteria and anti-cancer microbial agents as therapeutic targets.
Topic tags
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