The Influence of the Microbiome on Urological Malignancies: A Systematic Review

The microbiome, once considered peripheral, is emerging as a relevant player in the intricate web of factors contributing to cancer development and progression. These often overlooked microorganisms, in the context of urological malignancies, have been investigated primarily focusing on the gut micr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joao G. Porto, Maria Camila Suarez Arbelaez, Brandon Pena, Archan Khandekar, Ankur Malpani, Bruno Nahar, Sanoj Punnen, Chad R. Ritch, Mark L. Gonzalgo, Dipen J. Parekh, Robert Marcovich, Hemendra N. Shah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/20/4984
Description
Summary:The microbiome, once considered peripheral, is emerging as a relevant player in the intricate web of factors contributing to cancer development and progression. These often overlooked microorganisms, in the context of urological malignancies, have been investigated primarily focusing on the gut microbiome, while exploration of urogenital microorganisms remains limited. Considering this, our systematic review delves into the complex role of these understudied actors in various neoplastic conditions, including prostate, bladder, kidney, penile, and testicular cancers. Our analysis found a total of 37 studies (prostate cancer 12, bladder cancer 20, kidney cancer 4, penile/testicular cancer 1), revealing distinct associations specific to each condition and hinting at potential therapeutic avenues and future biomarker discoveries. It becomes evident that further research is imperative to unravel the complexities of this domain and provide a more comprehensive understanding.
ISSN:2072-6694