Researchers at the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Leeds have identified which cancer tumours carry their own microbiome, a discovery that could pave the way for more targeted, personalised cancer treatments.
In one of the largest studies of its kind, the team analysed more than 16,000 tumour samples from the 100,000 Genomes Project to examine whether cancers host their own communities of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
They found that cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines carry their own microbiome – including bacteria, fungi, viruses and, in some cases, a sexually-transmitted parasite called Trichomonas — while most other cancers do not.
The findings could help doctors target future tests and treatments at the cancers most likely to benefit, rather than applying them broadly. The study also helps resolve a long-running scientific debate by showing that many previously reported “tumour microbes” in other cancers were likely false signals caused by contamination.
Read more on the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Leeds website.