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The microbiome in prostate inflammation and prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 21, pages 345–354 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

The human microbiome may influence prostate cancer initiation and/or progression through both direct and indirect interactions. To date, the majority of studies have focused on direct interactions including the influence of prostate infections on prostate cancer risk and, more recently, on the composition of the urinary microbiome in relation to prostate cancer. Less well understood are indirect interactions of the microbiome with prostate cancer, such as the influence of the gastrointestinal or oral microbiota on pro- or anti-carcinogenic xenobiotic metabolism, and treatment response.

Methods

We review the literature to date on direct and indirect interactions of the microbiome with prostate inflammation and prostate cancer.

Results

Emerging studies indicate that the microbiome can influence prostate inflammation in relation to benign prostate conditions such as prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as in prostate cancer. We provide evidence that the human microbiome present at multiple anatomic sites (urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, etc.) may play an important role in prostate health and disease.

Conclusions

In health, the microbiome encourages homeostasis and helps educate the immune system. In dysbiosis, a systemic inflammatory state may be induced, predisposing remote anatomical sites to disease, including cancer. The microbiome’s ability to affect systemic hormone levels may also be important, particularly in a disease such as prostate cancer that is dually affected by estrogen and androgen levels. Due to the complexity of the potential interconnectedness between prostate cancer and the microbiome, it is vital to further explore and understand the relationships that are involved.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Fund, and the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program for ongoing research support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Corey M. Porter, Eva Shrestha, Lauren B. Peiffer & Karen S. Sfanos

  2. Department of Comparative and Molecular Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Lauren B. Peiffer

  3. Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Karen S. Sfanos

  4. Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Karen S. Sfanos

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Correspondence to Karen S. Sfanos.

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Porter, C.M., Shrestha, E., Peiffer, L.B. et al. The microbiome in prostate inflammation and prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 21, 345–354 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-018-0041-1

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