Could bacterial ‘fingerprints’ help reduce the negative effects of ‘gut bugs’ in prostate cancer?

11 Oct 2021

Written by Olivia Lovell

‘Gut bugs’, which can be stimulated by hormone therapy, have been showed to promote tumor growth and treatment resistance in prostate cancer. However, bacterial ‘fingerprints’ may allow for identification of patients who are eligible for medical intervention, such as fecal transplants and yoghurt drinks.

‘Gut bugs’ (gut bacteria, such as Ruminococcus) can negatively affect prostate cancer by promoting tumor growth and increasing treatment resistance. This is possible as hormone therapy, the main treatment for advanced prostate cancer, lowers the natural level of androgen hormones and allows for an increase of gut bacteria, which then produce their own androgens as well as promote toxins and/or other molecules that can affect cancerous cells. Medical interventions (such as fecal transplants or yoghurt drinks including advantageous bacteria) can be introduced to reverse this unfavorable microbiome. However, these interventions may only be available for a specific group of people...