Posted in: Cancer by Dr. Tarang Krishna Posted Date: 30 Apr, 2019
Scientists and researchers are unveiling the far-reaching effects of microorganisms on our health. It appears as though the human microbiome could be the key to uncovering new aspects of cancer biology and find new ways to improve patient care. Let’s see!
Many scientists have recognized that the microbiome, including the gut microbiome, can hasten or slow cancer development and influence responses to cancer treatment. The microbes which surround our guts have a profound impact on how the bodies function in health and disease. The microbiome consisting of millions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi unite with each person’s cells affecting the human body in ways we have just begun to understand.
Contribution of the microbiome to cancer development and prevention!
The complex understanding of microbes has thousands of species and varies from person to person. It protects us from pathogens, refine our immune system, shape how we use nutrients and produce a number of chemicals which impact the functioning of our cells. However, with advancements in research, we have noticed that microbiomes can slow or hasten cancer development as well as influence our response to anticancer therapies. Genome technologies make it possible to analyze microbial DNA to characterize communities which live in and on our bodies related to the disease. These communities are not consistent as our regular changes in diet and new environments affect stability.
Cancer can affect the anatomy of a person’s microbiome. Some leading cancer doctors and researchers are trying to understand that factors such as tumor formation, inflammation, and cancer therapy can bring about changes in a person’s microbiome. With new ways for analysis, it is possible to extend the studies beyond surveying the microbiome and work towards a deeper understanding of what microbes do and interact with other cells.
How can we understand the biological impact of microbiomes?
In order to gain a complete picture of the biological impact of these communities, it is critical to investigate the genes present in various microbiomes and the vast range of chemicals their members produce. This can be done in animal models where investigators can carefully manipulate the composition of the microbiome to explore the mechanisms by which its members influence inflammation, immune activity and other processes.
Another point to be investigated is mechanisms which microbes and human cells use to communicate with one another. Once we know how this works, we can modify them to alter the biological processes.
Conclusion!
A patient’s microbiome influences their response to cancer treatment. Researchers know that a microbiome’s composition can modulate both the effectiveness of different therapies as well as their associated side effects. For example, some types of immunotherapy work best when patients have highly diverse communities of gut microbes. Identifying ways in which the microbiome impacts the response to specific anticancer therapies will require extensive analyses. This will also help oncologists identify the best treatment for every patient and may also suggest ways we can modify individuals’ microbiomes to improve outcomes and help us prevent or treat cancer and other diseases.