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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Respiratory Microbiota | Research article

Conventional myelosuppressive chemotherapy for non-haematological malignancy disrupts the intestinal microbiome

Authors: Lito E. Papanicolas, Sarah K. Sims, Steven L. Taylor, Sophie J. Miller, Christos S. Karapetis, Steve L. Wesselingh, David L. Gordon, Geraint B. Rogers

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The gut microbiota influences many aspects of host physiology, including immune regulation, and is predictive of outcomes in cancer patients. However, whether conventional myelosuppressive chemotherapy affects the gut microbiota in humans with non-haematological malignancy, independent of antibiotic exposure, is unknown.

Methods

Faecal samples from 19 participants with non-haematological malignancy, who were receiving conventional chemotherapy regimens but not antibiotics, were examined prior to chemotherapy, 7–12 days after chemotherapy, and at the end of the first cycle of treatment. Gut microbiota diversity and composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

Results

Compared to pre-chemotherapy samples, samples collected 7–12 days following chemotherapy exhibited increased richness (mean 120 observed species ± SD 38 vs 134 ± 40; p = 0.007) and diversity (Shannon diversity: mean 6.4 ± 0.43 vs 6.6 ± 0.41; p = 0.02). Composition was significantly altered, with a significant decrease in the relative abundance of gram-positive bacteria in the phylum Firmicutes (pre-chemotherapy median relative abundance [IQR] 0.78 [0.11] vs 0.75 [0.11]; p = 0.003), and an increase in the relative abundance of gram-negative bacteria (Bacteroidetes: median [IQR] 0.16 [0.13] vs 0.21 [0.13]; p = 0.01 and Proteobacteria: 0.015 [0.018] vs 0.03 [0.03]; p = 0.02). Differences in microbiota characteristics from baseline were no longer significant at the end of the chemotherapy cycle.

Conclusions

Conventional chemotherapy results in significant changes in gut microbiota characteristics during the period of predicted myelosuppression post-chemotherapy. Further study is indicated to link microbiome changes during chemotherapy to clinical outcomes.

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Title: Conventional myelosuppressive chemotherapy for non-haematological malignancy disrupts the intestinal microbiome
Authors: Lito E. Papanicolas
Sarah K. Sims
Steven L. Taylor
Sophie J. Miller
Christos S. Karapetis
Steve L. Wesselingh
David L. Gordon
Geraint B. Rogers
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Respiratory Microbiota
Cytostatic Therapy
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08296-4

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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