The gut microbiome and cancer: from tumorigenesis to therapy

Abstract

The gut microbiome has a crucial role in cancer development and therapy through its interactions with the immune system and tumour microenvironment. Although evidence links gut microbiota composition to cancer progression, its precise role in modulating treatment responses remains unclear. In this Review, we summarize current knowledge on the gut microbiome's involvement in cancer, covering its role in tumour initiation and progression, interactions with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies, and its influence on cancer immunotherapy. We discuss the impact of microbial metabolites on immune responses, the relationship between specific bacterial species and treatment outcomes, and potential microbiota-based therapeutic strategies, including dietary interventions, probiotics and faecal microbiota transplantation. Understanding these complex microbiota-immune interactions is critical for optimizing cancer therapies. Future research should focus on defining microbial signatures associated with treatment success and developing targeted microbiome modulation strategies to enhance patient outcomes.