Unveiling hidden players: the role of intratumoral microbiota in gastrointestinal cancer dynamics
摘要
The intratumoral microbiota has emerged as a critical modulator of gastrointestinal (GI) tumour pathogenesis, influencing cancer initiation, progression, and treatment response. Recent studies have revealed that tumour-resident microbes, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Bacteroides fragilis, contribute to metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion, and metastatic spread via mechanisms including microbiota-derived metabolites, induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and conditioning of the premetastatic niche. Advances in multiomics technologies have enabled the precise characterization of microbial composition and function within the tumour microenvironment, revealing prognostic and predictive microbial signatures. Furthermore, emerging evidence highlights the potential of targeting the intratumoral microbiota to enhance conventional therapies and immunotherapies. This review summarizes key developments in understanding the role of the intratumoral microbiota in GI cancers and discusses future directions for translating these insights into clinical applications.