Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients

The oral microbiome has emerged as a critical biomarker and regulator in cancer development and treatment response, garnering increasing attention from researchers. However, its specific role in breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remains poorly understood. The influ...

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Main Authors: Xiaoyan Fu, Ze Huang, Zongyan Li, Zuxiao Chen, Zhijie Wu, Qingyu Yang, Haiyan Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1546044/full
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author Xiaoyan Fu
Xiaoyan Fu
Ze Huang
Ze Huang
Zongyan Li
Zongyan Li
Zuxiao Chen
Zuxiao Chen
Zhijie Wu
Zhijie Wu
Qingyu Yang
Qingyu Yang
Haiyan Li
Haiyan Li
author_facet Xiaoyan Fu
Xiaoyan Fu
Ze Huang
Ze Huang
Zongyan Li
Zongyan Li
Zuxiao Chen
Zuxiao Chen
Zhijie Wu
Zhijie Wu
Qingyu Yang
Qingyu Yang
Haiyan Li
Haiyan Li
author_sort Xiaoyan Fu
collection DOAJ
description The oral microbiome has emerged as a critical biomarker and regulator in cancer development and treatment response, garnering increasing attention from researchers. However, its specific role in breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remains poorly understood. The influence of the oral microbiome on chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms, remains unclear. Further investigation is needed to assess its potential as a biomarker for predicting chemotherapy sensitivity in this patient population. In the present study, significant differences in the composition of the oral microbiome were observed among patients with varying chemotherapy sensitivities for TNBC patients. Additionally, notable changes in the oral microbiome were noted after chemotherapy in patients with favorable responses to treatment. Our analysis revealed that chemotherapy-sensitive patients had higher levels of Lactobacillus and Neisseria species, alongside lower levels of Clostridium species. Post-chemotherapy, patients with positive responses demonstrated an increase in Clostridium and Microbacterium species, along with a decrease in Streptococcus and Neisseria. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the microbiota of patients with poor chemotherapy responses. A classifier based on these microbial biomarkers yielded an area under the curve (AUC) value of 77.3% (95% CI: 60.5%-94.2%), supporting the potential of the oral microbiome as a predictive tool for chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC. Given its simplicity, non-invasiveness, and repeatability, the oral microbiome holds promise as a valuable biomarker for predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC patients.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-e241f6077b4e44ae9c600ba4330a25b72025-08-20T03:51:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-07-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15460441546044Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patientsXiaoyan Fu0Xiaoyan Fu1Ze Huang2Ze Huang3Zongyan Li4Zongyan Li5Zuxiao Chen6Zuxiao Chen7Zhijie Wu8Zhijie Wu9Qingyu Yang10Qingyu Yang11Haiyan Li12Haiyan Li13Department of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery (Breast Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaBiomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe oral microbiome has emerged as a critical biomarker and regulator in cancer development and treatment response, garnering increasing attention from researchers. However, its specific role in breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remains poorly understood. The influence of the oral microbiome on chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms, remains unclear. Further investigation is needed to assess its potential as a biomarker for predicting chemotherapy sensitivity in this patient population. In the present study, significant differences in the composition of the oral microbiome were observed among patients with varying chemotherapy sensitivities for TNBC patients. Additionally, notable changes in the oral microbiome were noted after chemotherapy in patients with favorable responses to treatment. Our analysis revealed that chemotherapy-sensitive patients had higher levels of Lactobacillus and Neisseria species, alongside lower levels of Clostridium species. Post-chemotherapy, patients with positive responses demonstrated an increase in Clostridium and Microbacterium species, along with a decrease in Streptococcus and Neisseria. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the microbiota of patients with poor chemotherapy responses. A classifier based on these microbial biomarkers yielded an area under the curve (AUC) value of 77.3% (95% CI: 60.5%-94.2%), supporting the potential of the oral microbiome as a predictive tool for chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC. Given its simplicity, non-invasiveness, and repeatability, the oral microbiome holds promise as a valuable biomarker for predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1546044/fulloral microbiometriple-negative breast cancerneoadjuvant chemotherapy sensitivityresponse-prediction modelbiomarker
spellingShingle Xiaoyan Fu
Xiaoyan Fu
Ze Huang
Ze Huang
Zongyan Li
Zongyan Li
Zuxiao Chen
Zuxiao Chen
Zhijie Wu
Zhijie Wu
Qingyu Yang
Qingyu Yang
Haiyan Li
Haiyan Li
Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
Frontiers in Oncology
oral microbiome
triple-negative breast cancer
neoadjuvant chemotherapy sensitivity
response-prediction model
biomarker
title Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
title_full Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
title_fullStr Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
title_full_unstemmed Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
title_short Oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
title_sort oral microbiome components predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer patients
topic oral microbiome
triple-negative breast cancer
neoadjuvant chemotherapy sensitivity
response-prediction model
biomarker
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1546044/full
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