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Review
. 2015 Jan 21;7(271):271ps1.
doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3010473.

Cancer and the gut microbiota: an unexpected link

Laurence Zitvogel  1 , Lorenzo Galluzzi  2 , Sophie Viaud  3 , Marie Vétizou  3 , Romain Daillère  3 , Miriam Merad  4 , Guido Kroemer  5
Affiliations
Review

Cancer and the gut microbiota: an unexpected link

Laurence Zitvogel et al. Sci Transl Med. .

Abstract

Changes in the interactions among the gut microbiota, intestinal epithelium, and host immune system are associated with many diseases, including cancer. We discuss how environmental factors infuence this cross-talk during oncogenesis and tumor progression and how manipulations of the gut microbiota might improve the clinical activity of anticancer agents.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Links between dysbiosis and cancer
(A) Mechanisms by which dysbiosis affects oncogenesis. (B) Detrimental and beneficial effects of dysbiosis on disease outcome. MAMP, microbe-associated molecular pattern.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Links between the gut microbiota and anticancer therapy
Intestinal bacteria interact with chemo-, radio-, and immunotherapeutic anticancer agents in a bidirectional manner.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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