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Global Translational Medicine Gut microbiota in Onco-Hematology

association is related to the pathogenesis of the disease to this result, the fecal content of the SP contained high
or is purely epiphenomenal. A study which was referred concentrations of SCFAs, which are metabolites derived
to a more comprehensive prospective study that involved from tryptophan and propionates. It is remarkable that a
141 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia exhibited similar outcome was also achieved in patients diagnosed
that gut bacterial diversity in patients with acute GVHD with leukemia; these patients received radiotherapy as part
was found to be lower after HSCT; this led the authors of their treatment regimen. Those found harboring such
to design a risk score that was based on four bacterial members of the bacterial taxa presented mild symptoms
families, that is, Enterobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, of GIT malfunction instead of the common presentations,
Erysipelotrichaceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae which could which tend to be associated with severe GIT syndromes .
[39]
be predictive towards acute GVHD . A number of studies showed that members of the
[76]
In addition, in a study involving 34 patients diagnosed bacterial taxon called Lachnospiraceae present an ability
with acute myelogenous leukemia who underwent to synthesize or produce SCFAs using a process called
induction chemotherapy, the loss of the oral and stool fermentation found in dietary polysaccharides. SCFAs
microbial (gut microbiota) diversity was correlated to an are critical metabolites that play a role in maintaining
increased incidence of microbial infection within 90 days intestinal epithelium and modulating the inflammatory
[77]
[78]
of bone marrow recovery . Pepeljugoski et al. recently response and immune system [61,81,82] . In addition, SCFAs
demonstrated that the gut microbiota of patients who were are known to play a pivotal role in establishing a favorable
newly diagnosed with MM and monoclonal gammopathy environment in the intestine for the suitable gut microbiota
[83]
of undetermined significance (MGUS), exhibited a unique to benefit the host .
gut microbiota in comparison to healthy individuals, There is an indication that gut microbiota plays a role
Bacteroides and Kluyvera were the most abundantly in metabolic pathways, immune-related response, and
represented in MM patients compared to patients inflammation, hence the link in cancer development and
presenting with MGUS . In relation to treatment, Pianko associated progression. Concurrently, the SCFAs brought
[78]
et al. made a comparison of fecal microbiota in patients on by microbiota play an important function. Structural
[79]
diagnosed with MM before and after induction therapy. changes or modifications taking place in the gut tend to
These patients presented negative minimal residual disease interfere with SCFAs levels which in turn affect processes
(MRD) and exhibited a high predominance of Eubacterium such as apoptosis, immune cell recruitment, chemotaxis,
hallii with a better prognostic outcome, even though production of cytokines, adhesion of cells, and histone
no differences were identified in the overall diversity of deacetylases (HDACs) . Therefore, further studies in this
[84]
indices. In addition, the 2-year risk progression was lower field could assist in solving issues associated with fighting
in MM patients who exhibited an increased diversity in cancer. Even though most studies have been on colorectal
gut microbiota after HSCT, which indicated that microbial cancer (CRC), studies involving SCFAs require further
abundance presented with its prognostic significance . elucidation [85,86] , especially in hematology and oncology.
[80]
Studies of this nature are reassuring though they are still
in their infancy; however, these studies will contribute According to preclinical experiments and animal
immensely toward the field of translational medicine. models, other factors that may be looked into are related
to food intake, that is, functional foods such as prebiotics
5. SCFAs and probiotics have been shown to have some influence

It is known that patients receiving radiation therapy are in preventing the development of cancer. Studies have
susceptible to acute radiation syndrome; this syndrome identified SCFA immunomodulatory influences through
is linked with cerebrovascular, GIT, and hematopoietic probiotics, though the process and mechanism of achieving
[87,88]
[39]
injuries, attributed to ionizing radiation. Guo et al. these further warrant investigations .
performed a study that involved a population of mice that SCFAs derived from microbiota provide some
survived and recovered from radiation, that is, high-dose evidence to act concomitantly or synergistically toward
radiation to resume their life spans relatively normal. The antitumor approaches, particularly as possible drugs toward
so-called “survived population (SP)” were hosts to members maintaining control of immune reactions toward cancer
of the bacterial taxa Enterococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae cells by diminishing inflammatory cytokines stimulation
(gut microbiota), which indicated elevated abundances. and the activation of Tregs which have a crucial or significant
As a consequence, restoration in GIT and hematopoiesis activity toward controlling tumor cells [89,90] . In summary,
was demonstrated post-radiation. On the contrary, such further investigations should be established focusing on
radiation exposure resulted in fatalities for both germ- the mediation of gut microbiota and SCFAs in other types
free and conventionally conditioned mice. In addition of cancers, especially hematological malignancies. Finally,

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2023) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.0389