Microbial Regulation of Cancer Treatment and Response

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 13296

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Cancer Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5000, Australia
Interests: supportive cancer care; survivorship; precision medicine; risk prediction; personalised cancer care; host-microbe interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Interests: supportive cancer care; survivorship; precision medicine; risk prediction; personalised cancer care; host-microbe interactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Individual responses to cancer therapy are highly heterogeneous and unpredictable, impairing the provision of optimal cancer treatment. The gut microbiome has received significant attention for its ability to regulate individual treatment outcomes via its ubiquitous control of drug metabolism and immune responses. This provides an exciting opportunity to predict an individual’s response to treatment through innovative microbial assessments and enhance their response through microbial manipulation.

We are pleased to invite you to submit articles related to the microbial control of treatment efficacy and toxicity, novel methods of microbial assessment that enhance their clinical use and novel microbial biotherapeutics that enhance the efficacy of anticancer treatment and/or mitigate key side effects.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. The research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The microbial regulation of the effects of conventional cancer therapies including chemotherapy and radiotherapy;
  • The microbial regulation of immunotherapy's efficacy and toxicity;
  • Emerging data on microbial involvement in CAR-T cell therapy;
  • Microbial biotherapeutics identified as increasing the magnitude of the treatment response;
  • The local and systemic consequences of microbial injury/dysbiosis caused by cancer therapy;
  • Supportive care strategies targeting the microbiome;
  • Statistical and machine-learning approaches for predicting treatment responses.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hannah Wardill
Prof. Dr. Joanne M. Bowen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gut microbiome
  • cancer
  • response
  • efficacy
  • toxicity
  • chemotherapy
  • radiotherapy
  • immunotherapy

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1867 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Analysis of Resilience of the Oral Microbiome in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
by Alexa M. G. A. Laheij, Frederik R. Rozema, Michael T. Brennan, Inger von Bültzingslöwen, Stephanie J. M. van Leeuwen, Carin Potting, Marie-Charlotte D. N. J. M. Huysmans, Mette D. Hazenberg, Bernd W. Brandt, Egija Zaura, Mark J. Buijs, Johannes J. de Soet, Nicole N. M. Blijlevens and Judith E. Raber-Durlacher
Microorganisms 2022, 10(4), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10040734 - 29 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2138
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is associated with oral microbial dysbiosis. However, long-term longitudinal data are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to longitudinally assess the oral microbiome in SCT patients and to determine if changes are associated with oral mucositis and oral chronic graft-versus-host [...] Read more.
Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is associated with oral microbial dysbiosis. However, long-term longitudinal data are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to longitudinally assess the oral microbiome in SCT patients and to determine if changes are associated with oral mucositis and oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. Fifty allogeneic SCT recipients treated in two Dutch university hospitals were prospectively followed, starting at pre-SCT, weekly during hospitalization, and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after SCT. Oral rinsing samples were taken, and oral mucositis (WHO score) and oral chronic graft-versus-host disease (NIH score) were assessed. The oral microbiome diversity (Shannon index) and composition significantly changed after SCT and returned to pre-treatment levels from 3 months after SCT. Oral mucositis was associated with a more pronounced decrease in microbial diversity and with several disease-associated genera, such as Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus. On the other hand, microbiome diversity and composition were not associated with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. To conclude, dysbiosis of the oral microbiome occurred directly after SCT but recovered after 3 months. Diversity and composition were related to oral mucositis but not to oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Regulation of Cancer Treatment and Response)
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11 pages, 1527 KiB  
Communication
Combined Therapy with microRNA-Expressing Salmonella and Irradiation in Melanoma
by Wonsuck Yoon, Yongsung Park, Seunghyun Kim, Yongkeun Park and Chul Yong Kim
Microorganisms 2021, 9(11), 2408; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9112408 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2017
Abstract
Anticancer treatment strategies using bacteria as a vector are currently expanding with the development of anticancer drugs. Here, we present a research strategy to develop anticancer drugs using bacteria that contain miRNAs. We also present a strategy for the development of novel bacterial [...] Read more.
Anticancer treatment strategies using bacteria as a vector are currently expanding with the development of anticancer drugs. Here, we present a research strategy to develop anticancer drugs using bacteria that contain miRNAs. We also present a strategy for the development of novel bacterial anticancer drugs in combination with radiation. Salmonella strains expressing miRNA were produced by modifying the miRNA expression vector encoding INHA, a radiation-resistant gene developed previously. The anticancer effect of INHA was confirmed using skin cancer cell lines. We also tested a combination strategy comprising bacteria and radiation for its anticancer efficacy against radiation-resistant mouse melanoma to increase the efficacy of radiation therapy as a novel strategy. The recombinant strain was confirmed to promote effective cell death even when combined with radiation therapy, which exerts its cytotoxicity by enhancing reactive oxygen species production. Moreover, a combination of bacterial and radiation therapy enhanced radiotherapy efficacy. When combined with radiation therapy, bacterial therapy exhibited effective anti-cancer properties even when administered to animals harboring radiation-resistant tumors. This strategy may promote the secretion of cytokines in cells and more effectively reduce the number of bacteria remaining in the animal. Thus, this study may lead to the development of a strategy to improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy using Salmonella expressing cancer-specific miRNA for intractable cancers such as those resistant to radiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Regulation of Cancer Treatment and Response)
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Review

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23 pages, 1464 KiB  
Review
Gut Microbiota–MicroRNA Interactions in Intestinal Homeostasis and Cancer Development
by Nataliia Nikolaieva, Aneta Sevcikova, Radoslav Omelka, Monika Martiniakova, Michal Mego and Sona Ciernikova
Microorganisms 2023, 11(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11010107 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2271
Abstract
Pre-clinical models and clinical studies highlight the significant impact of the host–microbiota relationship on cancer development and treatment, supporting the emerging trend for a microbiota-based approach in clinical oncology. Importantly, the presence of polymorphic microbes is considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. [...] Read more.
Pre-clinical models and clinical studies highlight the significant impact of the host–microbiota relationship on cancer development and treatment, supporting the emerging trend for a microbiota-based approach in clinical oncology. Importantly, the presence of polymorphic microbes is considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. The epigenetic regulation of gene expression by microRNAs affects crucial biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and cell death. Recent evidence has documented the existence of bidirectional gut microbiota–microRNA interactions that play a critical role in intestinal homeostasis. Importantly, alterations in microRNA-modulated gene expression are known to be associated with inflammatory responses and dysbiosis in gastrointestinal disorders. In this review, we summarize the current findings about miRNA expression in the intestine and focus on specific gut microbiota–miRNA interactions linked to intestinal homeostasis, the immune system, and cancer development. We discuss the potential clinical utility of fecal miRNA profiling as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in colorectal cancer, and demonstrate how the emerging trend of gut microbiota modulation, together with the use of personalized microRNA therapeutics, might bring improvements in outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancer in the era of precision medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Regulation of Cancer Treatment and Response)
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24 pages, 797 KiB  
Review
The Role of the Human Gut Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Radiation Enteropathy
by Darren Fernandes and Jervoise Andreyev
Microorganisms 2022, 10(8), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10081613 - 09 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2413
Abstract
The human gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating host physiology. In a stable state, both the microbiota and the gut work synergistically. The overall homeostasis of the intestinal flora can be affected by multiple factors, including disease states and the treatments [...] Read more.
The human gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating host physiology. In a stable state, both the microbiota and the gut work synergistically. The overall homeostasis of the intestinal flora can be affected by multiple factors, including disease states and the treatments given for those diseases. In this review, we examine the relatively well-characterised abnormalities that develop in the microbiome in idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, and compare and contrast them to those that are found in radiation enteropathy. We discuss how these changes may exert their effects at a molecular level, and the possible role of manipulating the microbiome through the use of a variety of therapies to reduce the severity of the underlying condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Regulation of Cancer Treatment and Response)
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14 pages, 923 KiB  
Review
A Gut Instinct on Leukaemia: A New Mechanistic Hypothesis for Microbiota-Immune Crosstalk in Disease Progression and Relapse
by Ilaria S. Pagani, Govinda Poudel and Hannah R. Wardill
Microorganisms 2022, 10(4), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10040713 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3156
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (CML and ALL, respectively), disease progression and relapse remain a major problem. Growing evidence indicates the loss of immune surveillance of residual leukaemic cells as one of the main contributors [...] Read more.
Despite significant advances in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (CML and ALL, respectively), disease progression and relapse remain a major problem. Growing evidence indicates the loss of immune surveillance of residual leukaemic cells as one of the main contributors to disease recurrence and relapse. More recently, there was an appreciation for how the host’s gut microbiota predisposes to relapse given its potent immunomodulatory capacity. This is especially compelling in haematological malignancies where changes in the gut microbiota have been identified after treatment, persisting in some patients for years after the completion of treatment. In this hypothesis-generating review, we discuss the interaction between the gut microbiota and treatment responses, and its capacity to influence the risk of relapse in both CML and ALL We hypothesize that the gut microbiota contributes to the creation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which promotes tumour progression and relapse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Regulation of Cancer Treatment and Response)
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