Ovarian Cancer and the Microbiome: Connecting the Dots for Early Diagnosis and Therapeutic Innovations—A Review Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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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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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes, short for microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment, including on and inside the human body. They play a crucial role in human health and disease, functioning within complex ecosystems in various parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory tract. The human microbiome, which is […]
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Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women worldwide. Known for its "silent" progression, this disease often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages, making early diagnosis crucial for improving survival outcomes. With a variety of subtypes, ovarian cancer presents unique challenges in both treatment and prevention. Recent advancements in research are shining a light on the importance of the microbiome, particularly how microbial imbalances in the gut and vaginal microbiota can influence cancer progression. Repurposed drugs such as metformin and innovative interventions like probiotics, microbiota transplantation, and intratumoral microbiota therapies offer promising new avenues for improving ovarian cancer treatment.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
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.
Divine Aleru
What was reviewed?
This review explores the relationship between the microbiome and ovarian cancer, specifically how the gut and cervicovaginal microbiota influence the development, progression, and treatment of the disease. The review also delves into the potential of microbiome-based biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, including microbiome transplantation approaches like fecal and vaginal microbiome transplantation (FMT and VMT).
Who was studied?
The review synthesizes findings from various studies involving patients with ovarian cancer, healthy controls, and animal models. It discusses the microbiome alterations observed in the gut and cervicovaginal regions and their association with ovarian cancer. The studies reviewed provide insights into how microbiome dysbiosis contributes to cancer progression, with a particular focus on microbial signatures in different stages of the disease.
Most important findings
The review highlights the significant role of microbiome dysbiosis in ovarian cancer pathogenesis. Alterations in the gut microbiome, particularly an increase in Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Proteobacteria, are associated with increased cancer risk. In the cervicovaginal microbiome, a decrease in Lactobacillus species is linked to cancer progression. The review also underscores the impact of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, which are influenced by the microbiome and contribute to tumor growth. Additionally, infections like Chlamydia, which are associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can increase the risk of ovarian cancer by triggering inflammation. The review further suggests that microbial signatures, such as changes in Lactobacillus and Acinetobacter populations, could be used as biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of ovarian cancer.
Key implications
The findings in this review suggest that the microbiome could be a valuable diagnostic tool and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer. The identification of microbial signatures linked to ovarian cancer offers the potential for non-invasive biomarkers that could improve early detection and prognosis. Moreover, the manipulation of the microbiome through therapies like FMT and VMT holds promise for enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments and overcoming chemotherapy resistance. However, the review stresses the need for more research to validate these findings and determine how best to apply microbiome-based therapies in clinical settings. Understanding the complex interactions between the microbiome and ovarian cancer could lead to personalized treatment approaches based on an individual’s microbiome profile, offering new hope for more effective cancer therapies.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women worldwide. Known for its "silent" progression, this disease often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages, making early diagnosis crucial for improving survival outcomes. With a variety of subtypes, ovarian cancer presents unique challenges in both treatment and prevention. Recent advancements in research are shining a light on the importance of the microbiome, particularly how microbial imbalances in the gut and vaginal microbiota can influence cancer progression. Repurposed drugs such as metformin and innovative interventions like probiotics, microbiota transplantation, and intratumoral microbiota therapies offer promising new avenues for improving ovarian cancer treatment.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) involves transferring fecal bacteria from a healthy donor to a patient to restore microbiome balance.
Vaginal Microbiome Transplant (VMT)
Vaginal Microbiome Transplant (VMT) involves transferring healthy vaginal flora from a donor to a recipient to treat conditions like recurrent bacterial vaginosis. It aims to restore balance in the vaginal microbiome, potentially offering a non-pharmacological treatment option for persistent gynecological disorders.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a complex interplay between pathogens, immune responses, and microbial communities. As research continues to uncover the microbiome's role in reproductive health, microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) such as probiotics, prebiotics, and transplants are redefining how we prevent and treat PID. This page dives deep into these innovations, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized, biologically informed women’s healthcare.