Topic: Microbiome in Cancer Therapy

Cancer remains a global burden and challenge. Despite the development of therapeutic strategies, both traditional and innovative, aimed at reducing tumor-related morbidity and mortality, achieving conclusive results has proven elusive. Additionally, these therapies often come with unwanted adverse side effects that can further worsen the already compromised life quality of affected patients.

In the last two decades, mounting evidence has highlighted the pivotal role of microbiota and microbiome in human health. They represent important opportunities for supporting human well-being, and play a crucial role in the onset and progression of several human diseases, such as immune system disorders, susceptibility to exogenous and endogenous infections, inflammatory conditions, and pretumoral and malignant conditions.

The exposome, encompassing the environmental factors and primary and opportunistic pathogens to which individuals are exposed from conception throughout life, has a major role in regulating the homeostasis of microbiota and microbiome, consequently impacting overall health.

When the microbiota experiences dysbiosis, it can predispose individuals to cancer initiation and progression. Conversely, in a state of eubiosis, the microbiota, aided by its metabolites and the quorum sensing, can significantly influence the response to therapies in several cancer types by continuously modulating the host's immune response.

This Special Issue aims to delve into the role of human microbiota/microbiome and their metabolites in supporting cancer patients during therapy and managing treatment-related adverse effects. It also places emphasis on measures to maintain their health, especially when dealing with cancer.

Additionally, we will explore studies evaluating  the contribution of industrial nutrition, environmental and domestic pollutants, and personal hygiene products in the carcinogenic processes, beyond genetic predisposition.

We welcome research analyses and clinical studies in which prebiotics and probiotics are selected for their capability to maintain or restore microbiota balance in patient groups whose microbiota composition, genome, and functionality are analyzed through next-generation sequencing and metaproteomics.

In light of this, we encourage submissions of original in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo research, as well as literature reviews addressing these compelling topics. We hope that this Special Issue will introduce fresh perspectives, underscoring the central and vital role of microbiota and its maintenance in human health throughout all life stages, particularly in cancer prevention and treatment.

Microbiota, microbiome, metabolites, anticancer therapy, personalized medicine, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, dysbiosis, infection, inflammation, cancer, immunity

30 Jun 2024