Microbiota and Gynecologic Cancers
Microbiota and Clinical Diseases: Translational Insights Across Specialties, NOVA Publications , ss.9-24, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Yayınevi: NOVA Publications
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.9-24
- Anahtar Kelimeler: cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, microbiota, ovarian cancer
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The female reproductive system is characterized by a unique microbiota that accounts for approximately 9% of the body’s total microbial population. The female reproductive system microbiota is closely associated with pregnancy, infections, hormonal changes, and gynecological cancers. The imbalance in the human microbiota is called dysbiosis. This condition can lead to a range of adverse effects on human health, encompassing issues from infections to the development of cancer. The microbiota is a personal ecosystem that varies greatly among individuals. These individual differences create both challenges and opportunities for how the microbiota can be used in clinical practice. Therefore, personalized medicine and microbiota-based approaches may play an important role in disease prevention and treatment in the future. The interaction between human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and the microbiota plays a critical role in the progression of HPV-associated diseases, including cervical cancer. Endometrial cancer has a strong relationship with the hormone estrogen. In particular, prolonged and uncontrolled increases in estrogen levels lead to hyperplasia of endometrial cells, increasing the risk of developing this type of cancer. In ovarian cancer, the number of bacteria, especially Dialister, Corynebacterium, Prevotella, Peptoniphilus, Salmonella, Bacteroidetes, and Akkermansia, has been shown to increase in the reproductive tract. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that aim to support a healthy gut microbiome. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Although both probiotics and prebiotics are not used directly in cancer treatment, they can increase the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy because they regulate the intestinal microbiota. Determining the role of microbiota in cancer development will allow future treatment and prevention strategies to be more personalized and effective. New studies in this area can shape health policies and lead to revolutionary innovations in cancer treatment.