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01-03-2017 | Review Article

Gastrointestinal microbiome and breast cancer: correlations, mechanisms and potential clinical implications

Authors: Jiqiao Yang, Qiuwen Tan, Qingyu Fu, Yaojie Zhou, Yuanyuan Hu, Shenli Tang, Yuting Zhou, Junhui Zhang, Juanjuan Qiu, Qing Lv

Published in: Breast Cancer | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Gastrointestinal microbiome plays as a symbiont which provides protection effect against invading pathogens, aids in the immune system development, nutrient reclamation and absorption as well as molecule breakdown. And it may avert carcinogenesis through these biological activities. By now, studies have been carried out to elaborate the association between gastrointestinal microbiome and breast cancer. It has been implicated that breast cancer was substantially associated with estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent functions of gastrointestinal microbiome. Evidence from animal experiments also confirmed mammary tumor-related changes in microbial community. The possible mechanisms involve estrogen metabolism, immune regulation, obese status and so forth. Based on the current evidence, cues on future management strategies of breast cancer such as antibiotics and dietary interventions are proposed. In conclusion, large-scale clinical studies and bench-based researches are needed to validate the associations and elaborate the mechanisms, so as to reduce the risk of breast cancer and improve the outcomes of those already diagnosed.

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Title: Gastrointestinal microbiome and breast cancer: correlations, mechanisms and potential clinical implications
Authors: Jiqiao Yang
Qiuwen Tan
Qingyu Fu
Yaojie Zhou
Yuanyuan Hu
Shenli Tang
Yuting Zhou
Junhui Zhang
Juanjuan Qiu
Qing Lv
Publication date: 01-03-2017
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Breast Cancer / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 1340-6868
Electronic ISSN: 1880-4233
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-016-0734-z

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