Although prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men in Western countries, there is significant variability in geographical incidence. This might result from genetic factors, discrepancies in screening policies, or differences in lifestyle. Gut microbiota has recently been associated with cancer progression, but its role in PCa is unclear.
Characterization of the gut microbiota and its functions associated with PCa.
In a prospective multicenter clinical trial (NCT02241122), the gut microbiota profiles of 181 men with a clinical suspicion of PCa were assessed utilizing 16S rRNA sequencing.
Sequences were assigned to operational taxonomic units, differential abundance analysis, and α- and β-diversities, and predictive functional analyses were performed. Plasma steroid hormone levels corresponding to the predicted microbiota steroid hormone biosynthesis profiles were investigated.
Of 364 patients, 181 were analyzed, 60% of whom were diagnosed with PCa. Microbiota composition and diversity were significantly different in PCa, partially affected by Prevotella 9, the most abundant genus of the cohort, and significantly higher in PCa patients. Predictive functional analyses revealed higher 5-α-reductase, copper absorption, and retinol metabolism in the PCa-associated microbiome. Plasma testosterone was associated negatively with the predicted microbial 5-α-reductase level.
Gut microbiota of the PCa patients differed significantly compared with benign individuals. Microbial 5-α-reductase, copper absorption, and retinol metabolism are potential mechanisms of action. These findings support the observed association of lifestyle, geography, and PCa incidence.
In this report, we found that several microbes and potential functions of the gut microbiota are altered in prostate cancer compared with benign cases. These findings suggest that gut microbiota could be the link between environmental factors and prostate cancer.
European urology open science. 2024 Mar 13*** epublish ***
Sofia Kalinen, Teemu Kallonen, Marianne Gunell, Otto Ettala, Ivan Jambor, Juha Knaapila, Kari T Syvänen, Pekka Taimen, Matti Poutanen, Hannu J Aronen, Helena Ollila, Sami Pietilä, Laura L Elo, Tarja Lamminen, Antti J Hakanen, Eveliina Munukka, Peter J Boström, Multi-IMPROD Study Group
Research Center for Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland., Department of Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland., Department of Urology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland., Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland., Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland., Turku Clinical Research Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland., Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland., Clinical Microbiome Bank, Microbe Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.