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. 2019 Sep;68(9):1624-1632.
doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318556. Epub 2019 May 15.

International Cancer Microbiome Consortium consensus statement on the role of the human microbiome in carcinogenesis

Alasdair J Scott  1 , James L Alexander  1 , Claire A Merrifield  1 , David Cunningham  2 , Christian Jobin  3 , Robert Brown  1 , John Alverdy  4 , Stephen J O'Keefe  5 , H Rex Gaskins  6 , Julian Teare  1 , Jun Yu  7 , David J Hughes  8 , Hans Verstraelen  9 , Jeremy Burton  10 , Paul W O'Toole  11 , Daniel W Rosenberg  12 , Julian R Marchesi  1 , James M Kinross  1
Affiliations

International Cancer Microbiome Consortium consensus statement on the role of the human microbiome in carcinogenesis

Alasdair J Scott et al. Gut. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: In this consensus statement, an international panel of experts deliver their opinions on key questions regarding the contribution of the human microbiome to carcinogenesis.

Design: International experts in oncology and/or microbiome research were approached by personal communication to form a panel. A structured, iterative, methodology based around a 1-day roundtable discussion was employed to derive expert consensus on key questions in microbiome-oncology research.

Results: Some 18 experts convened for the roundtable discussion and five key questions were identified regarding: (1) the relevance of dysbiosis/an altered gut microbiome to carcinogenesis; (2) potential mechanisms of microbiota-induced carcinogenesis; (3) conceptual frameworks describing how the human microbiome may drive carcinogenesis; (4) causation versus association; and (5) future directions for research in the field.The panel considered that, despite mechanistic and supporting evidence from animal and human studies, there is currently no direct evidence that the human commensal microbiome is a key determinant in the aetiopathogenesis of cancer. The panel cited the lack of large longitudinal, cohort studies as a principal deciding factor and agreed that this should be a future research priority. However, while acknowledging gaps in the evidence, expert opinion was that the microbiome, alongside environmental factors and an epigenetically/genetically vulnerable host, represents one apex of a tripartite, multidirectional interactome that drives carcinogenesis.

Conclusion: Data from longitudinal cohort studies are needed to confirm the role of the human microbiome as a key driver in the aetiopathogenesis of cancer.

Keywords: microbiome, cancer, colorectal, oncology, consensus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Key terms in the microbiome literature.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A multistage, structured, iterative methodology was employed. ICMC, International Cancer Microbiome Consortium.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Select quotes on dysbiosis and the microbiome.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Select quotes on mechanisms of microbiome-induced carcinogenesis. HPV, human papilloma virus.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Select quotes on conceptual frameworks describing microbiome-induced carcinogenesis.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Select quotes on the potential causal relationship between the human microbiome and carcinogenesis.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Select quotes regarding future directions in the field.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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