Insights into Gut Microbiota and Pancreatic Cancer: A Review

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related death worldwide and has a poor prognosis as pancreatic cancer usually shows little or no symptoms until it has advanced and spread. Therefore, most cases (up to 80 percent) are diagnosed at later, more difficult-to-treat stages. Currently, treatment relies on surgical resection and adjuvant therapies. Recent advances in biomedical research have highlighted the potential role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in metabolism and immunomodulation. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota influences the metabolism of chemotherapeutic drugs and the tumor microenvironment, potentially affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. In this review, we discuss the key connections between pancreatic cancer, the gut microbiota, and therapeutic effectiveness. We also highlight the promising potential of modifying the gut microbiota to enhance clinical outcomes for pancreatic cancer.Keywords: Gut microbiota; Pancreatic cancer; Chemotherapy; Immunotherapy