The Microbiome Associated with Lung Cancer

Abstract

Recent studies on the lung microbiome have renewed the interest in understanding the relationship between microbes and lung diseases. The complex symbiotic relationship between microbiota and host have led researchers to postulate that many host diseases, including cancer, are directly associated with the commensal microbiome. Evidence suggests that the lung microbiome may contribute to local host inflammatory changes, which include the Th17 response. In lung cancer, studies suggest that lung dysbiosis may affect different stages of carcinogenesis. In this article, we review the latest knowledge gained from microbiome studies and explore possible mechanisms of microbe-host interaction that may have relevance to lung cancer pathogenesis.