The Gut Microbiome as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Authors

Betul Gok Yavuz
Saumil Datar
Shadi Chamseddine
Yehia I Mohamed
Michael LaPelusa
Sunyoung S Lee
Zishuo Ian Hu
Eugene J Koay
Hop S Tran Cao
Prasun Kumar Jalal
Carrie Daniel-MacDougall
Manal Hassan
Dan G Duda
Hesham M Amin
Ahmed O Kaseb

Publication Date

10-7-2023

Journal

Cancers

Abstract

The microbiome is pivotal in maintaining health and influencing disease by modulating essential inflammatory and immune responses. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as the third most common cause of cancer-related fatalities globally, is influenced by the gut microbiome through bidirectional interactions between the gut and liver, as evidenced in both mouse models and human studies. Consequently, biomarkers based on gut microbiota represent promising non-invasive tools for the early detection of HCC. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the composition of the gut microbiota may play a role in the efficacy of immunotherapy in different types of cancer; thus, it could be used as a predictive biomarker. In this review, we will dissect the gut microbiome's role as a potential predictive and diagnostic marker in HCC and evaluate the latest progress in leveraging the gut microbiome as a novel therapeutic avenue for HCC patients, with a special emphasis on immunotherapy.

Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma, gut microbiome, therapeutic target, biomarkers

Comments

PMID: 37835569