Microbiome of pancreatic tumors

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal types of malignancies, with a very low survival rate (5-7%), which is related to the difficulty of early diagnosis and the aggressive nature of the disease. The progression of tumours and the process of metastasis are linked to a number of factors, one of which is the tumour microbiome. The microbiota plays a role in the formation of an immune-tolerant environment, which contributes to cancer development by inducing angiogenesis, chemoresistance, immune cell suppression, tumour invasion and metastasis. Modifications in the composition of tumour-associated microbes and alterations in immune function may ultimately influence the progression and outcome of the disease. Enhancing our understanding of the composition and pathways of microorganisms in tumours, such as pancreatic cancer, will facilitate the identification of predictive factors and potential therapeutic targets. The objective of this review to synthesise the current knowledge about the composition of the microbiota and its origins in pancreatic tumours. Keywords: microbiome, pancreatic cancer, tumour microenvironment