The Gut-Endometrium Axis: Exploring the Role of Microbiome in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Endometrial Cancer-A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prevalent gynecological malignancy with an increasing incidence, particularly in developed countries. Recent research has demonstrated the significant involvement of gut and endometrial microbiomes in the pathogenesis and progression of EC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge on the interactions between these microbial communities and their influence on EC. Methodology: A literature review was conducted using electronic databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, and PUBMED, covering the period from 2017 to 2024. The following keywords were used for the literature search: (1) gut microbiome and endometrial cancer, (2) endometrium microbiome and endometrial cancer, and (3) endometrial cancer and microbial dysbiosis. The selected articles were chosen based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Scale for Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) was used for evaluating and assessing the quality of articles. Results: The gut microbiome modulates systemic inflammation, immune responses, and estrogen metabolism, all of which are crucial factors in EC development. Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the composition of microbes that can cause chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances, which can contribute to the EC. Similarly, the endometrial microbiome, while less extensively studied, has been implicated in EC through mechanisms involving local immune modulation and the production of harmful metabolites. Probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and personalized microbiota-based therapies can be used as clinical interventions for EC management. This review emphasizes the need for further research to explore the gut-endometrium axis and its potential for innovative therapeutic approaches. Understanding these complex interactions will become a novel strategy to prevent and treat EC, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.