The Microbiota and Pancreatic Cancer

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;48(3):447-464. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2019.04.008. Epub 2019 Jun 12.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal diseases. In pancreatic cancer development and progression, genetic (gene mutations and activation of oncogenes) and environmental factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity) play an essential role. Recently, molecular studies revealed that dysbiosis of microbiota also has influence on cancer development. Research indicates that bacteria and viruses can lead to chronic inflammation, antiapoptotic changes, cell survival, and cell invasion. This review presents bacteria and viruses oncogenic for the pancreas. Possible mechanisms of carcinogenic action are also described.

Keywords: Antiapoptotic activity; Carcinogenesis; Chronic inflammation; HBV; Helicobacter pylori; Microbiota; Pancreatic cancer; Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogenesis
  • Humans
  • Microbiota*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / microbiology*