Vaginal and tumor microbiomes in gynecological cancer (Review)

Abstract

Cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer are the three most common types of gynecologic cancer. As a hub, the vagina connects the site of gynecological cancer with the external environment. Lactobacilli participate in the forma‑ tion of a healthy vaginal microenvironment as the first line of defense against pathogen invasion; a dysbiotic vaginal microenvironment loses its original protective function and is associated with the onset, metastasis, poor efficacy and poor prognosis of gynecological cancer. The early diagnosis of cancer is the key to improve the survival time of patients with cancer. The screening of Porphyromonas, Sneathia and Atopobium vaginae, and other microbial markers, can assist the diagnosis of gynecological cancer, and screen out the high‑risk population as early as possible. With the in‑depth study of the microbes in tumor tissues, reasearchers have analyzed the immunological associations of microorganisms in tumor tissues. Due to the structural‑functional interconnec‑ tion between the organ of gynecological tumorigenesis and the vagina, the present study aims to review the relationship between vaginal and tumor microorganisms and gyneco‑ logical cancer in terms of occurrence, screening, treatment and prognosis.