The role of microbiome in pediatric cancers

Abstract

Objective: Human microbiome as an important part of cancer development and treatment is actively investigated. However, most studies are based on adult patients, while in pediatric patients, only a few studies on this topic, with most of them focusing on pediatric blood diseases and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, have been analyzed. Studies on gut microbiota in children with solid tumors are even scarcer. Materials and Methods: We performed a literature review of studies on the role of microbiome in pediatric cancers and included studies published between 1st of March 2022 and 31st of March 2023. This review was performed according to the principles of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statements. As the number of published studies on this topic is low, all studies (case reports, editorials, letters, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, case-control, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials) were included. Results: Most studies focused on patients with hematological diseases and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and only two studies focused on pediatric patients with solid tumors. Data shows the importance of nutrition, antibiotic, and antifungal treatment on the differences in the composition of the microbiome. Also, there is a positive association between regular physical activity and diversity of microbiota; higher alpha- and beta-diversity was also associated with a shorter duration of febrile neutropenia. Conclusions: Data on the gut microbiome in pediatric patients with cancer remains very scarce and more studies are needed.

Keywords

• microbiome
• pediatric oncology
• pediatric cancer
• leukemia
• solid tumors.