Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer
Abstract Human-resident microbes typically cluster into biofilms - structurally organized communities embedded within a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that serves as a protective shield. These biofilms enhance microbial survival and functional adaptability, favoring...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Molecular Cancer |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02348-0 |
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| author | Elena Montanari Giancarla Bernardo Valentino Le Noci Martina Anselmi Serenella M. Pupa Elda Tagliabue Michele Sommariva Lucia Sfondrini |
| author_facet | Elena Montanari Giancarla Bernardo Valentino Le Noci Martina Anselmi Serenella M. Pupa Elda Tagliabue Michele Sommariva Lucia Sfondrini |
| author_sort | Elena Montanari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Human-resident microbes typically cluster into biofilms - structurally organized communities embedded within a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that serves as a protective shield. These biofilms enhance microbial survival and functional adaptability, favoring a symbiotic relationship with the host under physiological conditions. However, biofilms exhibit a dual role in modulating the immune response. If their ability to promote tolerance is key to safeguarding homeostasis, by contrast, their persistence can overcome the cutting-edge balance resulting in immune evasion, chronic inflammation and development of numerous diseases such as cancer. Recent evidence highlights the significance of cancer-associated microbiota in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). These microbial inhabitants often exhibit biofilm-like structures, which may protect them from host immune responses and therapeutic interventions. The presence of biofilm-forming microbiota within the TME may promote chronic inflammation, and release of bioactive molecules that interfere with immune surveillance mechanisms, thereby enabling cancer cells to evade immune destruction. This review delves into the complex interplay between biofilms and cancer, with particular focus on the tumor-associated microbiota and the implications of biofilm involvement in modulating the immune landscape of the TME. Addressing this intricate relationship holds promises for innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at reprogramming the microbiota-cancer axis for better clinical outcomes. Graphical abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4bc42c38190141e7bbe94a2cbf2ef87c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1476-4598 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Cancer |
| spelling | doaj-art-4bc42c38190141e7bbe94a2cbf2ef87c2025-08-20T03:48:19ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982025-05-0124111610.1186/s12943-025-02348-0Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancerElena Montanari0Giancarla Bernardo1Valentino Le Noci2Martina Anselmi3Serenella M. Pupa4Elda Tagliabue5Michele Sommariva6Lucia Sfondrini7Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di MilanoDipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di MilanoDepartment of Experimental Oncology, Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di MilanoDepartment of Experimental Oncology, Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di MilanoDepartment of Experimental Oncology, Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di MilanoDepartment of Experimental Oncology, Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di MilanoDipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di MilanoDipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di MilanoAbstract Human-resident microbes typically cluster into biofilms - structurally organized communities embedded within a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that serves as a protective shield. These biofilms enhance microbial survival and functional adaptability, favoring a symbiotic relationship with the host under physiological conditions. However, biofilms exhibit a dual role in modulating the immune response. If their ability to promote tolerance is key to safeguarding homeostasis, by contrast, their persistence can overcome the cutting-edge balance resulting in immune evasion, chronic inflammation and development of numerous diseases such as cancer. Recent evidence highlights the significance of cancer-associated microbiota in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). These microbial inhabitants often exhibit biofilm-like structures, which may protect them from host immune responses and therapeutic interventions. The presence of biofilm-forming microbiota within the TME may promote chronic inflammation, and release of bioactive molecules that interfere with immune surveillance mechanisms, thereby enabling cancer cells to evade immune destruction. This review delves into the complex interplay between biofilms and cancer, with particular focus on the tumor-associated microbiota and the implications of biofilm involvement in modulating the immune landscape of the TME. Addressing this intricate relationship holds promises for innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at reprogramming the microbiota-cancer axis for better clinical outcomes. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02348-0BiofilmMicrobiotaCancerImmune modulation |
| spellingShingle | Elena Montanari Giancarla Bernardo Valentino Le Noci Martina Anselmi Serenella M. Pupa Elda Tagliabue Michele Sommariva Lucia Sfondrini Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer Molecular Cancer Biofilm Microbiota Cancer Immune modulation |
| title | Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer |
| title_full | Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer |
| title_fullStr | Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer |
| title_short | Biofilm formation by the host microbiota: a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer |
| title_sort | biofilm formation by the host microbiota a protective shield against immunity and its implication in cancer |
| topic | Biofilm Microbiota Cancer Immune modulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02348-0 |
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