scholarly journals Shifts in gut and vaginal microbiomes are associated with cancer recurrence time in women with ovarian cancer

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11574
Author(s):  
David Jacobson ◽  
Kathleen Moore ◽  
Camille Gunderson ◽  
Michelle Rowland ◽  
Rita Austin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Recurrence Time ◽  
Platinum Resistance ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
The Relationship

Many studies investigating the human microbiome-cancer interface have focused on the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal cancers. Outside of human papillomavirus driving cervical cancer, little is known about the relationship between the vaginal microbiome and other gynecological cancers, such as ovarian cancer. In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between ovarian cancer, platinum-free interval (PFI) length, and vaginal and gut microbiomes. We observed that Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal communities were less common in women with ovarian cancer, as compared to existing datasets of similarly aged women without cancer. Primary platinum-resistance (PPR) disease is strongly associated with survivability under one year, and we found over one-third of patients with PPR (PFI < 6 months, n = 17) to have a vaginal microbiome dominated by Escherichia (>20% relative abundance), while only one platinum super-sensitive (PFI > 24 months, n = 23) patient had an Escherichia-dominated microbiome. Additionally, L. iners was associated with little, or no, gross residual disease, while other Lactobacillus species were dominant in women with >1 cm gross residual disease. In the gut microbiome, we found patients with PPR disease to have lower phylogenetic diversity than platinum-sensitive patients. The trends we observe in women with ovarian cancer and PPR disease, such as the absence of Lactobacillus and presence of Escherichia in the vaginal microbiome as well as low gut microbiome phylogenetic diversity have all been linked to other diseases and/or pro-inflammatory states, including bacterial vaginosis and autoimmune disorders. Future prospective studies are necessary to explore the translational potential and underlying mechanisms driving these associations.

scholarly journals An effect of food additives on microbiome

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-268
Author(s):  
V. Yu. Kornienko ◽  
M. Yu. Minaev
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Sodium Sulfite ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Potassium Sorbate ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Structural Formulas ◽  
Effect Of Food ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
The Relationship

The paper presents a review of available data about an effect of food additives on the human microbiome and lists the main physiological functions of the gut microbiome. The process of the human microbiome evolution is examined. The relationship between the emergence of a disease and the microbiome composition, as well as the main factors influencing the gut microbiome composition are described. The main food additives used today are listed, their key features are discussed and their structural formulas are given. The information about their effect on the human body through an influence on the microbiome composition is presented. The data on an effect of polysorbate 80, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium sulfite, nisin, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium nitrate, essential oils, titanium dioxide and different sweeteners on the microbiome are analyzed. It is explained what microbial communities are suppressed and what communities gain advantages in multiplication when consumers eat food with one or another food additive. The consequences of alterations in the microbiome for the consumer’s body are examined. Conclusions were made about the necessity of additional studies about an effect of food additives on the composition of the human microbiome.

scholarly journals Cause or Effect? The Role of Prognostic Uncertainty in the Fear of Cancer Recurrence

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul K. J. Han ◽  
Caitlin Gutheil ◽  
Rebecca N. Hutchinson ◽  
Jason A. LaChance
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Fear Of Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Fear Of Cancer ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Prognostic Uncertainty

BackgroundFear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is an important cause of suffering for cancer survivors, and both empirical evidence and theoretical models suggest that prognostic uncertainty plays a causal role in its development. However, the relationship between prognostic uncertainty and FCR is incompletely understood.ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between prognostic uncertainty and FCR among patients with ovarian cancer (OC).DesignA qualitative study was conducted utilizing individual in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who had completed first-line treatment with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Semi-structured interviews explored participants’ (1) understanding of their prognosis; (2) experiences, preferences, and attitudes regarding prognostic information; and (3) strategies for coping with prognostic uncertainty. Inductive qualitative analysis and line-by-line software-assisted coding of interview transcripts was conducted to identify key themes and generate theoretical insights on the relationship between prognostic uncertainty and FCR.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 21 participants, nearly all of whom reported experiencing significant FCR, which they traced to an awareness of the possibility of a bad outcome. Some participants valued and pursued prognostic information as a means of coping with this awareness, suggesting that prognostic uncertainty causes FCR. However, most participants acknowledged fundamental limits to both the certainty and value of prognostic information, and engaged in various strategies aimed not at reducing but constructing and maintaining prognostic uncertainty as a means of sustaining hope in the possibility of a good outcome. Participants’ comments suggested that prognostic uncertainty, fear, and hope are connected by complex, bi-directional causal pathways mediated by processes that allow patients to cope with, construct, and maintain their uncertainty. A provisional dual-process theoretical model was developed to capture these pathways.ConclusionAmong patients with OC, prognostic uncertainty is both a cause and an effect of FCR—a fear-inducing stimulus and a hope-sustaining response constructed and maintained through various strategies. More work is needed to elucidate the relationships between prognostic uncertainty, fear, and hope, to validate and refine our theoretical model, and to develop interventions to help patients with OC and other serious illnesses to achieve an optimal balance between these states.

scholarly journals Impact of residual disease at interval debulking surgery on platinum resistance and patterns of recurrence for advanced-stage ovarian cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. ijgc-2020-001505
Author(s):  
Anna Greer ◽  
Allison Gockley ◽  
Beryl Manning-Geist ◽  
Alexander Melamed ◽  
Rachel Clark Sisodia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Platinum Resistance ◽  
Debulking Surgery ◽  
Anatomic Location ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Complete Surgical Resection ◽  
Interval Debulking Surgery ◽  
Anatomic Locations

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of size and distribution of residual disease after interval debulking surgery on the timing and patterns of recurrence for patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.MethodsPatient demographics and data on disease treatment/recurrence were collected from medical records of patients with stage IIIC/IV epithelial ovarian cancer who were managed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy/interval debulking surgery between January 2010 and December 2014. Among patients without complete surgical resection but with ≤1 cm of residual disease, the number of anatomic sites (<1 cm single anatomic location vs <1 cm multiple anatomic locations) was used to describe the size and distribution of residual disease. ResultsA total of 224 patients were included. Of these, 70.5% (n=158) had a complete surgical resection, 12.5% (n=28) had <1 cm single anatomic location, and 17.0% (n=38) had <1 cm multiple anatomic locations. Two-year progression-free survival for complete surgical resection, <1 cm single anatomic location, and <1 cm multiple anatomic locations was 22.2%, 17.9% and 7%, respectively (p=0.007). Size and distribution of residual disease after interval debulking surgery did not affect location of recurrence and most patients had recurrence at multiple sites (complete surgical resection: 64.7%, <1 cm single anatomic location: 55.6%, and <1 cm multiple anatomic locations: 71.4%). Controlling for additional factors that may influence platinum resistance and surgical complexity, the rate of platinum-resistant recurrence was similar for patients with complete surgical resection and <1 cm single anatomic location (OR=1.07, 95% CI 0.40 to 2.86; p=0.888), but women with <1 cm multiple anatomic locations had an increased risk of platinum resistance (OR=3.09, 95% CI 1.41 to 6.78 p=0.005).ConclusionsDespite current classification as ‘optimal,’ <1 cm multiple anatomic location at the time of interval debulking surgery is associated with a shorter progression-free survival and increased risk of platinum resistance.

scholarly journals The BRCA2 p.N372 H i.a.1342A>C Could Regulate the Sensitivity of Ovarian Cancer Cells to Platinum-Based Drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153303382098328
Author(s):  
Zhen-Hua Du ◽  
Yu Xia ◽  
Qing Yang ◽  
Song Gao
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Mutant Gene ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
Platinum Resistance ◽  
Over Expression ◽  
Ic50 Value ◽  
Brca2 Protein ◽  
Recombination Repair

Background and Objective: We have previously reported that BRCA2 N372 H i.a.1342A>C heterozygous variation presented in platinum-resistant patients. This study aimed to further investigate the mechanism of BRCA2 N372 H mutation in the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. Methods: The BRCA2 N372 H i.a.1342A>C was synthesized and used to exchange 1 wildtype allele followed by sequencing to confirm the mutant allele sequence. Plasmids were constructed and transfected into the OVCAR-3 cells after lentiviral packaging. BRCA2 N372 H mRNA was detected by qPCR. BRCA2 protein was assessed by immunoblotting. Binding of the BRCA2 to Rad51 was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Sensitivity of the cells to cisplatin treatment was assessed with CCK-8 assay. Results: It was found that expression of BRCA2 protein in ovarian cancer cells transfected with BRCA2 N372 H i.a.1342A>C gene (2.177 ± 0.003) was significantly increased compared to that of the cells transfected with lenti-EGFP only (1.227 ± 0.003, P < 0.001). Binding of the BRCA2 and Rad51 proteins was significantly increased in the cells with BRCA2 N372 H i.a.1342A>C mutation (3.542 ± 0.24) than that in the cells transfected with lenti-EGFP (1.29 ± 0.32) or empty cells (1.363 ± 0.32, P < 0.001). Cell viability significantly increased in the cells transfected with BRCA2 N372 H mutant gene. The IC50 value was significantly higher in the cells transfected with BRCA2 N372 H mutant gene (1.963 ± 0.04) than that of the cells transfected with lenti-EGFP (0.955 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) or empty cells (1.043 ± 0.007, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Over expression of mRNA and protein of BRCA2 was detected in the cells with BRCA2 N372 H i.a.1342A>C mutation but not in the lentivirus negative control (lenti-EGFP) or the cells without transfection (empty cells), which may lead to resistance to platinum-based drugs in ovarian cancer cells through homologous recombination repair pathway.

scholarly journals Emerging Roles for Ion Channels in Ovarian Cancer: Pathomechanisms and Pharmacological Treatment

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 668
Author(s):  
Concetta Altamura ◽  
Maria Raffaella Greco ◽  
Maria Rosaria Carratù ◽  
Rosa Angela Cardone ◽  
Jean-François Desaphy
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Ion Channels ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Channels ◽  
Platinum Resistance

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, due to late diagnosis, development of platinum resistance, and inadequate alternative therapy. It has been demonstrated that membrane ion channels play important roles in cancer processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility, and invasion. Here, we review the contribution of ion channels in the development and progression of OC, evaluating their potential in clinical management. Increased expression of voltage-gated and epithelial sodium channels has been detected in OC cells and tissues and shown to be involved in cancer proliferation and invasion. Potassium and calcium channels have been found to play a critical role in the control of cell cycle and in the resistance to apoptosis, promoting tumor growth and recurrence. Overexpression of chloride and transient receptor potential channels was found both in vitro and in vivo, supporting their contribution to OC. Furthermore, ion channels have been shown to influence the sensitivity of OC cells to neoplastic drugs, suggesting a critical role in chemotherapy resistance. The study of ion channels expression and function in OC can improve our understanding of pathophysiology and pave the way for identifying ion channels as potential targets for tumor diagnosis and treatment.

scholarly journals The Relationship between the Gut Microbiome and Metformin as a Key for Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3566
Author(s):  
Chae Bin Lee ◽  
Soon Uk Chae ◽  
Seong Jun Jo ◽  
Ui Min Jerng ◽  
Soo Kyung Bae
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Potential Target ◽  
The Relationship

Metformin is the first-line pharmacotherapy for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, its mechanism of modulating glucose metabolism is elusive. Recent advances have identified the gut as a potential target of metformin. As patients with metabolic disorders exhibit dysbiosis, the gut microbiome has garnered interest as a potential target for metabolic disease. Henceforth, studies have focused on unraveling the relationship of metabolic disorders with the human gut microbiome. According to various metagenome studies, gut dysbiosis is evident in T2DM patients. Besides this, alterations in the gut microbiome were also observed in the metformin-treated T2DM patients compared to the non-treated T2DM patients. Thus, several studies on rodents have suggested potential mechanisms interacting with the gut microbiome, including regulation of glucose metabolism, an increase in short-chain fatty acids, strengthening intestinal permeability against lipopolysaccharides, modulating the immune response, and interaction with bile acids. Furthermore, human studies have demonstrated evidence substantiating the hypotheses based on rodent studies. This review discusses the current knowledge of how metformin modulates T2DM with respect to the gut microbiome and discusses the prospect of harnessing this mechanism in treating T2DM.

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