Association between Gut Microbiota and Breast Cancer: Diet as a Potential Modulating Factor Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
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Karen Pendergrass
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Traditionally linked to genetic predispositions and environmental exposures, emerging evidence highlights the microbiome as a critical and underappreciated factor influencing breast cancer progression, immune response, and treatment outcomes.
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Karen Pendergrass
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
What Was Studied?
This study examined the association between gut microbiota composition and breast cancer, focusing on the role of diet as a potential modulating factor. Researchers conducted a case-control study involving 42 newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve BCa patients and 44 age-matched cancer-free controls. The gut microbiome was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, and dietary patterns were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire.
Who Was Studied?
Participants included females aged 20–89 years from the Oregon Health & Science University. breast cancer patients were diagnosed through biopsy and had not yet undergone any treatment. Cancer-free controls were matched by age and underwent recent mammograms with non-suspicious results. The study collected fecal samples, dietary data, and comprehensive lifestyle information to ensure robust comparisons.
Most Important Findings
The study identified significant differences in the gut microbiome composition between breast cancer cases and controls, including reduced microbial diversity among breast cancer patients, indicative of dysbiosis. Specifically, the genera Acidaminococcus, Hungatella, and Tyzzerella were enriched, while controls exhibited enrichment of genera such as Christensenellaceae and Dialister. These findings were linked to dietary patterns: Acidaminococcus correlated with lower fruit intake, Hungatella with reduced dairy intake but increased vegetable consumption, and Tyzzerella was not significantly associated with dietary variables. Importantly, the reduced diversity and altered microbial profiles in breast cancer patients align with previous evidence suggesting a role for gut dysbiosis in cancer progression via immune modulation and microbial metabolite production.
Greatest Implications
This study highlights the gut microbiome’s potential as a biomarker for breast cancer risk and emphasizes the role of diet in modulating microbial composition. Dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance in gut microbiota, is linked to breast cancer, suggesting that microbiome-targeted dietary interventions could aid in prevention and management. For example, increased consumption of whole fruits may help reduce levels of Acidaminococcus, a genus enriched in breast cancer patients, while higher dairy intake could lower the abundance of Hungatella, a genus associated with TMAO production and cancer-promoting pathways. Interestingly, the study also found that greater vegetable consumption was linked to higher levels of Hungatella, which has been associated with increased risks of both breast and colorectal cancer. These findings underscore the complexity of dietary influences on the gut microbiome and their potential role in cancer prevention.