Gut Microbiota and Cancer

Introduction

In the human body, there are over a trillion microbial cells that are in a symbiotic relationship. This benefits the body to stay in a healthy state. The composition of the microbiome could vastly vary between people. The gut microbe includes various microorganisms that maintain the overall health and well-being of an individual. The gut microbiota influences human physiology and immune regulation. In addition, it also aids with metabolism and maintains the integrity of the gut barrier.

Cancer is a dreadful disease that causes uncontrolled growth of tumor cells and may invade surrounding tissues and may spread to other body parts. Cancer could be caused by genetics and environmental factors. A few pieces of research and evidence have proved that gut microbiota may influence cancer development and play a vital role in the progression of the disease. This article briefs about the role of gut microbiota, its benefits, and the harm caused to cancer progression and therapeutic treatment.

What Is Gut Microbiota?

The gut microbiota is a collection of microorganisms that may profoundly affect human health. It is also called the microflora of the gut. It is made of various microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The gut plays an important role in various aspects of human health. A few functions assisted by gut microbiota are:

• Harvesting energy from digested food.

• Protect from pathogens.

• Regulate immunity.

• Strengthen barriers of gut and intestine.

The gut microbiota is majorly found in the large intestine, and it forms a symbiotic relationship with the human body. Although some bacteria are potentially harmful, the majority of them are beneficial and play an important role in digestion, absorption, metabolism, and immune system regulation.

A few factors affect the microbiota, some of which are explained below:

• Age - The microbiota of the gut changes throughout the like, and there are variations during infancy and adulthood.

• Antibiotics - Using a few antibiotics may disrupt the gut composition, and it may result in temporary or long-term changes.

• Stress- Chronic stress may influence the diversity in the gut and may affect the gut barriers.

What Are the Functions of Gut Microbiota?

The functions of gut microbiota are as follows:

• Digestion - It assists in breaking down complex carbohydrates and fiber, which the body finds challenging to digest. It can ferment these substances and produce fatty acid chains, which benefit gut health and energy production.

• Immune System Regulation - The microbiota is important for maintaining a balance in the immune system. It can differentiate both harmless and harmful pathogens.

• Protection Against Pathogens - The gut bacteria can fight harmful microorganisms for nutrients and prevent any pathogenic colonization.

• Synthesis of Essential Nutrients - A few gut bacteria are capable of producing essential nutrients and vitamins that get absorbed by the human body.

What Is Cancer?

A complex term that helps to describe a category of diseases, which is characterized by a group of diseases with abnormal growth and division. The tumors can be classified as benign or malignant tumors.

• Benign Tumors - They are usually non-cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. They have a slower growth rate and are localized to a particular area. Although these tumors are not cancerous, they can still cause problems if the tumor compresses organs and tissues nearby.

• Malignant Tumors - These tumors may be cancerous and can invade the surrounding tissues. It spreads to different body parts via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The spread of tumors is called metastasis.

There are various reasons for the cause of cancer, some of which are mentioned below:

• Environmental Factors - Exposure to cancer-causing agents in the environment, like tobacco, smoke, radiation, and pollutants, could increase the risk of cancer.

• Infections - A few viruses and bacteria are often linked to an increase in a specific type of cancer.

• Genetics - A few individuals may inherit the gene mutation at birth, which can increase their chances of developing cancer.

How Are Gut Microbiota and Cancer-Related?

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of cancer and its progression. These microbiota are a group of complex microorganisms that generally reside in the gastrointestinal tract. There are multiple ways by which the gut microbiota and cancer are related:

• Inflammation - A few gut bacteria are capable of producing specific metabolites that aid in promoting gut inflammation. This chronic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of cancer. As a result, the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the cells gets altered and may potentially lead to the formation of cancerous cells.

• Immunotherapy - A few researches have shown that gut microbiota influences the response to cancer. It may either improve or diminish the response to cancer treatment.

• Gut Barrier Function - A balance in the gut microbiota helps to maintain the barrier functions and prevents any harmful substance from entering the bloodstream If this barrier is compromised, all the harmful substances may have easy access to the immune system and other tissues, which could promote cancer growth.

• Immune System Modulation - Gut microbiota might influence the immune response. A balanced and healthy gut can regulate immunity, whereas any imbalances could result in improper response to cancer cells and may fail to recognize them. As a result, it may promote its growth.

• Production of Carcinogen - A few gut bacteria are capable of converting pro-carcinogenic substances into carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. They may directly damage the DNA and result in the development of cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the research related to gut microbiota and cancer has provided an interesting relationship between gut microorganisms and cancer development. Many studies are being conducted in this area of research. The gut microbiota is capable of regulating the immune system, and it also has a profound implication in cancer risk and treatment. The imbalance in microbial activity could increase the risk of certain cancers. Also, its effect on cancer therapies highlights the importance of considering gut conditions and tailoring treatment according to the patient’s needs. Therefore, a dynamic relationship exists between cancer and gut microbiota. It has a huge potential to revolutionize the approach to cancer treatment and aid with better outcomes.