Role of Microorganisms in Breast Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

Breast cancer remains among the most frequent causes of death in young women in developed countries. Anatomically, the breast tissue conforms a complex microenvironment. In addition, humans coexist with a vast bacterial, fungal, and viral microbiome with which we have coevolved for millions of years. Several epidemiological associations have been established between specific microorganisms and cancer. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, we have an unprecedented ability to study tumor and host genomes as well as those of the vast array of microorganisms that exist within living organisms. Evidence now suggests that these microbes and their metabolites may confer susceptibility to certain cancers, such as breast cancer, and may also influence response to therapeutics. These studies have revealed causal mechanisms for both microbes within the tumor environment and microbes in other host niches separated from tumors, mediated through direct metabolites and proteins, and immunological mechanisms.

It is therefore timely and relevant for Pathogens to publish this Special Issue. We will provide insights into the effect and behavior of pathogens and human microbiota on breast cancer disease. Such knowledge can be derived from a vast amount of publicly available microorganism data (beneficial, probiotic, and pathogens) and through well-designed population-based studies.

The objective of this Special Issue is to compile the most recent research targeting the complex interaction between breast cancer, the gut microbiome, and pathogenic microorganisms. All types of articles will be considered for publication, including communication, original research, and review articles. 

References

1. Fernández, M.F.; Reina-Pérez, I.; Astorga, J.M.; Rodríguez-Carrillo, A.; Plaza-Díaz, J.; Fontana, L. Breast Cancer and Its Relationship with the Microbiota. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Heal. 2018, 15, 1747, doi:10.3390/ijerph15081747.
2. Picardo, S.L.; Coburn, B.; Hansen, A.R. The microbiome and cancer for clinicians. Crit. Rev. Oncol. 2019, 141, 1–12, doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.06.004.
3. Yang, L.; Liu, Q.; Zhang, X.; Liu, X.; Zhou, B.; Chen, J.; Huang, D.; Li, J.; Li, H.; Chen, F.; et al. DNA of neutrophil extracellular traps promotes cancer metastasis via CCDC25. Nat. Cell Biol. 2020, 583, 133–138, doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2394-6.
4. Ojo-Okunola, A.; Nicol, M.; Du Toit, E. Human Breast Milk Bacteriome in Health and Disease. Nutr. 2018, 10, 1643, doi:10.3390/nu10111643.
5. Bodai, B. Breast Cancer: Lifestyle, the Human Gut Microbiota/Microbiome, and Survivorship. Perm. J. 2020, 24, doi:10.7812/tpp/19.129.
6. Vergara, D.; Simeone, P.; Damato, M.; Maffia, M.; Lanuti, P.; Trerotola, M. The Cancer Microbiota: EMT and Inflammation as Shared Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plasticity and Progression. J. Oncol. 2019, 2019, 1–16, doi:10.1155/2019/1253727.
7. Banerjee, S.; Tian, T.; Wei, Z.; Shih, N.; Feldman, M.D.; Peck, K.N.; DeMichele, A.M.; Alwine, J.C.; Robertson, E.S. Distinct Microbial Signatures Associated With Different Breast Cancer Types. Front. Microbiol. 2018, 9, 951, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.00951.

Dr. María Leonor Fernández-Murga
Dr. Antonio Llombart-Cussac
Guest Editors

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