SVOA Microbiology

Adrielle R. Costa¹, José Thyálisson da C. Silva¹, Olivia Caroline M. de Moura², Lucas Yure S. da Silva¹, Paula Patrícia M. Cordeiro¹, Cícera Natalia Figueirêdo L. Gondim¹, Alessandro M. Ribeiro³, Anita Oliveira Brito Pereira B. Martins¹, Murilo F. Felício¹, Antonio César V. da Silva¹, Maria de Lourdes O. Honorato¹, Rebeca Azevedo de L. Madeira⁴, Dhenes F. Antunes², Ademar M. Filho¹, Eduardo dos S. Silva¹, Maria Elizete M. Generino¹, Luciene F. de Lima¹, José Walber G. Castro¹, Rizelle de O. Barros², Severino Denicio G. de Sousa⁵, Maria Elenilda P. da Silva⁶, Gabriel de O. Lôbo⁷, José Weverton. Almeida-Bezerra^1*

¹Regional University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.

²Federal University of Cariri – Crato – CE, Brazil.

³Federal University of Bahia, Salvador – BA, Brazil.

⁴Juazeiro do Norte School of Medicine, Juazeiro do Norte – CE, Brazil.

⁵Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba – MT, Brazil.

⁶Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife – PE, Brazil. 7Cecape College, Juazeiro do Norte – CE, Brazil.

*Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Jose Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, 63105-000, Crato, CE, Brazil.

https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.017

Received: August 14, 2025

Published: October 07, 2025

Citation: Costa AR, da C Silva JT, de Moura OCM, da Silva LYS, Cordeiro PPM, Gondim CNFL, Ribeiro AM, Martins AOBPB, Felício MF, da Silva ACV, Honorato M de LO, Madeira RA de L, Antunes DF, Filho AM, da Silva ES, Generino MEM, de Lima LF, Castro JWG, Barros RO, de Sousa SDG, da Silva MEP, Lobo GO, Almeida-Bezerra JW. Microbiota and Cancer: Unraveling the Pathways of Microorganism–Tumor Interaction. SVOA Microbiology 2025, 6:5, 143-153. doi:10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.017

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with high incidence and a significant impact on public health. In Brazil, it is estimated that approximately 704,000 new cases will occur annually between 2023 and 2025, with breast, prostate, colorectal, and rectal tumors being the most prevalent. Various behavioral, environmental, and biological factors influence carcinogenesis, including the microbiota, which plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis, immune modulation, and inflammatory responses. Alterations in its composition known as dysbiosis are associated with the development of several types of cancer, especially those affecting the gastrointestinal tract, such as colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers. Pathogenic microorganisms can promote chronic inflammation, production of reactive species, and immunosuppression, whereas commensal or probiotic species exert protective effects. The complexity of these interactions underscores the relevance of the microbiota in tumor pathophysiology and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer prevention and treatment. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the interface between the microbiota and carcinogenesis, highlighting the molecular mechanisms involved and their possible clinical applications.

Keywords: Dysbiosis, Carcinogenesis, Gut Microbiota, H. pylori