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microbiology, cancer, microbiome

microbiology, cancer, microbiome

Illustration of intestine containing pink microbes

Catherine Offord | Sep 30, 2022 | 2 min read

It’s not clear whether, or how, the organisms might play a role in disease pathology.

Bacteria in Tumors Promote Metastasis in Mice

Sophie Fessl, PhD | Apr 7, 2022 | 3 min read

Microbes living inside cancer cells may help them spread to distant sites by enhancing the cells’ resistance to mechanical stress, a study shows.

Could Cancer’s Microbiome Help Diagnose and Treat the Disease?

Jef Akst | Mar 14, 2022 | 10+ min read

A growing appreciation of the bacterial assemblages that live within tumors has researchers striving to understand and capitalize on their role.

Illustration showing microbial signatures of cancer in the body

Infographic: Putting Cancer’s Unique Microbiomes to Use

Jef Akst | Mar 14, 2022 | 1 min read

From diagnosis to tracking treatment responses, bacteria and other microbes in the blood, gut, and tumors of cancer patients may provide helpful hints for improving their care.

The Common Mouth Microbe That Keeps Popping Up in Tumors

David Adam | Dec 15, 2021 | 6 min read

Lab studies link the oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum to cancers from the gut to the head and neck. Could targeting the microbe tackle tumors?

Salty Diet Helps Gut Bugs Fight Cancer in Mice: Study

Sophie Fessl, PhD | Sep 20, 2021 | 4 min read

A high-salt diet suppressed the growth of tumors in a mouse model of melanoma, apparently because of an interplay between the gut microbiome and natural killer cells.

white and yellow colonies growing on a petri dish

Gut Fungi Hamper Radiation Therapy in Mice with Cancer

Rachael Moeller Gorman | Aug 11, 2021 | 3 min read

Depleting intestinal fungi allows radiation to effectively fight cancer, likely because the microbes influence the antitumor immune response.

An illustration of several DNA helices on a light red water color background

Human Blood Harbors Cell-Free Microbial DNA

Abby Olena, PhD | Jul 9, 2021 | 3 min read

After controlling for high levels of bacterial contamination in their lab and reagents, researchers detect microbial genetic material in plasma samples from healthy people and cancer patients.

Manipulating the Microbiome to Manage Disease

The Scientist Creative Services Team in collaboration with Tecan | May 28, 2021 | 1 min read

Cammie Lesser will discuss how she turns a probiotic into a drug-delivering machine, while Andrew Y. Koh will describe the connection between the gut microbiota and cancer immunotherapy efficacy.

an illustration of a mix of different bacteria

Fecal Transplant Could Boost Immunotherapy to Treat Melanoma

Shawna Williams | Feb 12, 2021 | 4 min read

The results from two Phase 1 trials bolster the case that the gut microbiome plays a role in response to the drugs.

Microbial Signatures in Blood Are Associated with Various Cancers

Shawna Williams | Jul 13, 2020 | 2 min read

A study suggests the potential for a noninvasive diagnostic that could detect tumors early and differentiate between disease types.

A Little Help From My Friends: Lessons Learned From Microbiome Metagenomics

The Scientist | Jul 2, 2020 | 1 min read

Heather Jordan and Jennifer Wargo will discuss how metagenomics studies help uncover new and medically relevant functions of the human microbiome.

Cancer-Fighting Chemical Found in Human Skin Bacteria

Diana Kwon | Mar 1, 2018 | 2 min read

A molecule produced by a strain of Staphylococcus epidermis interferes with DNA synthesis.

Microbes Meet Cancer

Kate Yandell | Apr 1, 2016 | 10+ min read

Understanding cancer’s relationship with the human microbiome could transform immune-modulating therapies.

Immune Influence

Kate Yandell | Mar 31, 2016 | 1 min read

In recent years, research has demonstrated that microbes living in and on the mammalian body can affect cancer risk, as well as responses to cancer treatment.