Study identifies how microbiome may affect pancreatic cancer outcomes (Two common gut bacteria make the difference)

Medical Xpress / University of Cincinnati / Cancer ^ | April 3, 2024 | Tim Tedeschi / Jordan Kharofa et al

[ConservativeMind]

Even as pancreatic cancer treatments improve, only about 9% of patients survive past five years. Researchers have searched unsuccessfully to find genetic differences that explain why some patients survive long term and some do not and have now shifted their focus to the gut microbiome.

The microbiome is a term used for the collection of microbes, including microorganisms like bacteria, that live on or in the human body. Jordan Kharofa, MD, said there was little known about the microbiome of long-term pancreatic cancer survivors.

"There is emerging science suggesting that pancreas cancer survivors have a robust immune response in their tumors and data suggests the gut microbiome can influence immune response," said Kharofa. "We wondered if there was a relationship with the gut microbiome in pancreatic cancer survivors."

Kharofa and his colleagues recently published findings that found several enriched species associated with enhanced tumor immune response in the microbiomes of long-term pancreatic cancer survivors.

The research team analyzed microbiome data from pancreatic cancer survivors and a control group of pancreatic cancer patients. They found long-term survivors' microbiomes had increased levels of several specific bacterial species including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

While it is still unknown exactly how or if these bacteria directly contribute to patients' long-term survival, the species have been previously been associated with improved response to immunotherapy for patients with metastatic melanoma or skin cancer.

"For the first time we are seeing that similar species are enriched in patients cured from pancreas cancer. We're excited to explore this further and to evaluate if modulating the microbiome can be a therapeutic avenue in these patients."

Some researchers have begun testing fecal transplants using stool from long-term survivors, and Kharofa said the Cancer Center team is in the early phase of exploring microbiome modulation through oral administration of bacterial species.

[ConservativeMind]

The paper says this:

“Stool from patients cured from PCa has more relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia mucinophilia.”

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a fiber-eating microbe we have that converts fiber into short chain fatty acids for our bodies to use.

Akkermansia mucinophilia helps with mucus layer renewal and it converts our food polyphenols (a form of antioxidant), as well as converting polyunsaturated fat for use.

In sum, eating more fiber, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated (probably favoring Omega-3) fats may help multiply these two bacteria that are positively associated with not just pancreatic cancer, but seemingly others, from my brief review.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Fungi]

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii species as well as Akkermansia mucinophilia species. Have fun with those and try to get them in a supplement. Eat yogurt and sauerkraut.

[dljordan]

“Eat yogurt and sauerkraut.”

I just put up three quarts of sauerkraut last week.

[RummyChick]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29152256/

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

“I just put up three quarts of sauerkraut last week.”

If canned you lost the Bacteria although you can still enjoy the fiber!

I have 2 heads of cabbage from the garden. Need to decide tomorrow if I will make it into cole slaw or Sauerkraut. (Someone gave us a Sauerkraut crock that I have yet to use! Maybe time to try!)

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Thanks C.M. for another good article.

Along the same lines I saw this today in mailing from Dr. Mercola:

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/04/03/gut-microbiome-game-changer.aspx Gut Bacteria Influence Effectiveness of Anticancer Drugs "Recent research adds support to the idea that targeting the gut microbiome could be a real game-changer in the fight against cancer, as the presence of certain gut bacteria appears to boost the patient's response to anticancer drugs. Several clinical trials are now being launched to see whether outcomes can be improved simply by manipulating the patient's gut flora." More at link

[dljordan]

“If canned you lost the Bacteria although you can still enjoy the fiber!”

I ferment mine and keep them in the fridge. This time I added some peppers.