Microbiota Status and Endometrial Cancer: A Narrative Review About Possible Correlations in Affected Versus Healthy Patients.

Aquino, Carmen Imma; Nicosia, Anthony; Ligori, Arianna; Volpicelli, Agnese Immacolata; Surico, Daniela

(1) Background: Microbiota could be related to tumorigenesis through the persistence of an inflammatory state, also at the endometrial level. Inflammation, in fact, is involved in the promotion of genetic instability and in a favorable microenvironment for tumor growth. One pathway could be the disruption of the epithelial/mucosal barrier, with the activation of cytokines. The microbiota also seem to favor other involved patterns, such as insulin resistance and increased adipose tissue. (2) Methods: The online search for this review was based on keywords such as "endometrial cancer" and "microbiota" on the main online scientific database. Our objective is a narrative up-to-date review of the current literature on gynecological microbiota; we analyze the possible correlations with known modifying and promoting oncological factors (i.e., Body Mass Index- BMI, menopause, pH), with particular attention to vaginal and uterine microorganisms respective to the development of endometrial cancer in comparison to healthy women. (3) Results: Various species and distributions of bacteria could be related to tumorigenesis and induce alterations in cell signaling and cycle pathways, including those in the gynecological field. (4) Conclusions: In the literature, the different composition of uterine and vaginal microbiota has been analyzed in the past years, and their diversity and actions seem to correlate with possible oncological effects.

ENDOMETRIAL cancer; SCIENCE databases; INSULIN resistance; INFLAMMATION; ONLINE databases

Sci (2413-4155), 2024, Vol 6, Issue 4, p75

2413-4155

Academic Journal

10.3390/sci6040075