The Interplay between Microbiota and Chemotherapy-Derived Metabolites in Breast Cancer

The most common cancer in women is breast cancer, which is also the second leading cause of death in this group. It is, however, important to note that some women will develop or will not develop breast cancer regardless of whether certain known risk factors are present. On the other hand, certain compounds are produced by bacteria in the gut, such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and other metabolites that may be linked to breast cancer development and mediate the chemotherapy response. Modeling the microbiota through dietary intervention and identifying metabolites directly associated with breast cancer and its complications may be useful to identify actionable targets and improve the effect of antiangiogenic therapies. Metabolomics is therefore a complementary approach to metagenomics for this purpose. As a result of the combination of both techniques, a better understanding of molecular biology and oncogenesis can be obtained. This article reviews recent literature about the influence of bacterial metabolites and chemotherapy metabolites in breast cancer patients, as well as the influence of diet.

Automated summary

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of death in this group. However, the development of breast cancer is not solely dependent on known risk factors. Bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids, generated in the gut may be linked to breast cancer development and treatment response. Manipulating the gut microbiota through dietary intervention and identifying metabolites associated with breast cancer could lead to new targets for therapy. Metabolomics is a complementary approach to metagenomics in understanding the molecular biology and oncogenesis of breast cancer. This article reviews recent literature on the influence of bacterial and chemotherapy metabolites in breast cancer patients, as well as the impact of diet.