title: Epidemiologic studies of the human microbiome and cancer.
abstract: The human microbiome, which includes the collective genome of all bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses found in and on the human body, is altered in many diseases and may substantially affect cancer risk. Previously detected associations of individual bacteria (e.g., Helicobacter pylori), periodontal disease, and inflammation with specific cancers have motivated studies considering the association between the human microbiome and cancer risk. This short review summarises microbiome research, focusing on published epidemiological associations with gastric, oesophageal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, lung, colorectal, and other cancers. Large, prospective studies of the microbiome that employ multidisciplinary laboratory and analysis methods, as well as rigorous validation of case status, are likely to yield translational opportunities to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality by improving prevention, screening, and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vogtmann
authors.affiliation: Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Goedert
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota / Q000235:genetics*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors