Microbiome and pancreatic cancer: A comprehensive topic review of literature

Abstract

AIM To review microbiome alterations associated with pancreatic cancer, its potential utility in diagnostics, risk assessment, and influence on disease outcomes. METHODS A comprehensive literature review was conducted by allinclusive topic review from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. The last search was performed in October 2016. RESULTS Diverse microbiome alterations exist among several body sites including oral, gut, and pancreatic tissue, in patients with pancreatic cancer compared to healthy populations. CONCLUSION Pilot study successes in non-invasive screening strategies warrant further investigation for future translational application in early diagnostics and to learn modifiable risk factors relevant to disease prevention. Pre-clinical investigations exist in other tumor types that suggest microbiome manipulation provides opportunity to favorably transform cancer response to existing treatment protocols and improve survival.