Microbiota in digestive cancers: our new partner?

Abstract

Evolution led to an essential symbiotic relationship between the host and commensal microbiota, regulating physiological functions including inflammation and immunity. This equilibrium can be disturbed by environmental factors such as lifestyle, diet or antibiotic pressure, contributing to create a dysbiosis. There is much evidence about the gut microbiota's contribution to carcinogenesis, involving pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive signals. At the same time, it seems to be increasingly clear that commensal microbes can modulate cancer therapy efficacy and safety, in particular, innovating treatments as immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we discuss how the microbiota can promote digestive tract carcinogenesis, responsiveness to cancer therapeutics and cancer-associated complications.

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