A comprehensive analysis of breast cancer microbiota and host gene expression Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
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 investigated the microbial composition of breast tumor tissues compared to non-cancerous adjacent (NCA) tissues, focusing on identifying specific microbiota associated with different breast cancer subtypes. The research utilized RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), analyzing microbial reads and their association with host gene expression profiles to explore the role of the tumor microbiota in breast cancer pathogenesis.
Who Was Studied?
The study involved 668 breast tumor tissue samples and 72 NCA samples. The samples were filtered to exclude male patients, metastatic cases, and individuals with a history of breast cancer or neoadjuvant therapy, ensuring a robust cohort for microbial and host gene analysis.
What Were the Most Important Findings?
The study identified distinct microbial signatures between tumor and NCA tissues. Proteobacteria were significantly enriched in tumor samples, while Actinobacteria were more prevalent in NCA tissues. Specific microbial taxa, such as Haemophilus influenzae, were associated with genes involved in tumor-promoting pathways, including the G2M checkpoint, E2F transcription factors, and mitotic spindle assembly. Similarly, Listeria fleischmannii correlated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition pathways, a hallmark of cancer metastasis.
Twelve of the most abundant species, including Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Salmonella enterica, showed significant differential abundance between tumor and NCA tissues. These species are notable for their potential roles in DNA damage and estrogen metabolism, contributing to genomic instability and hormonal dysregulation in breast cancer. The findings also revealed that less prevalent taxa often showed the most significant differential abundance, highlighting the challenges of detecting meaningful microbial shifts in underpowered studies.
What Are the Greatest Implications of This Study?
This research underscores the complex interplay between the tumor microbiota and host gene expression in breast cancer. The enrichment of specific microbial taxa in tumor tissues and their associations with oncogenic pathways suggest that the microbiota may play an active role in breast cancer progression. These findings open avenues for microbiota-targeted interventions and diagnostic tools based on microbial markers. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for large-scale, well-controlled cohorts to accurately characterize the tumor microbiome and its clinical relevance.
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.