Potential Role of Vaginal Microbiota in Ovarian Cancer Carcinogenesis, Progression and Treatment

Ovarian cancer represents one of the most challenging gynecologic cancers which still has numerous unknowns on the underlying pathogenesis. In addition to the verified contributors such as genomic predisposition and medical history in the carcinogenesis, emerging evidence points out the potential role of vaginal microbiota in ovarian cancer. Recent studies have underlined the presence of vaginal microbial dysbiosis in cancer cases. Increasing research also indicates the potential correlations between vaginal microbes and cancer carcinogenesis, progression and treatment. Currently, compared with other gynecologic cancers, reports on the roles of vaginal microbiota in ovarian cancer remain scarce and fragmentary. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the roles of vaginal microbiota in various gynecologic diseases, particularly focusing on the potential mechanisms and possible applications of vaginal microbiota in ovarian cancer, giving insight into the involvement of vaginal microbiota in gynecologic cancer treatment.

Automated summary

Ovarian cancer is a challenging gynecologic cancer with unknown pathogenesis. Vaginal microbiota has been identified as a potential factor in ovarian cancer, with studies showing microbial dysbiosis in cancer cases. The correlation between vaginal microbes and ovarian cancer carcinogenesis, progression, and treatment is increasingly recognized. However, research on the role of vaginal microbiota in ovarian cancer remains limited. This review aims to summarize the potential mechanisms and applications of vaginal microbiota in ovarian cancer and shed light on its involvement in gynecologic cancer treatment.