Beneficial Bacteria Identified as First in the World to Enhance Anticancer Immunity in Endometrial Cancer

Joint Research Team from GIST and Seoul National University Hospital
Beneficial Endometrial Bacteria Activate Anticancer Immune Cells via TMAO Metabolite
Proposes New Endometrial Cancer Treatment Strategy Through Microbe-Based Immune Modulation

A recent study has found that certain beneficial bacteria can enhance the anticancer immune response in endometrial cancer through metabolic mediators.

Research teams from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and Seoul National University Hospital have revealed the mechanism by which beneficial bacteria in the endometrium activate anticancer immune cells mediated by metabolites. GIST

A joint research team from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and Seoul National University Hospital announced on May 20 that they have identified the mechanism by which Bacillus megaterium, a beneficial bacterium present in the endometrium, activates anticancer immune cells via the metabolic substance TMAO and is involved in suppressing the recurrence of endometrial cancer. The research findings were recently published in the international journal "Microbiome."

Although endometrial cancer has relatively favorable outcomes in its early stages, treatment options become limited in cases of metastasis or recurrence. Recently, the relationship between the microbiome and cancer immunity has drawn attention, but the specific role of microbes within endometrial tissue has not been clearly defined.

The research team conducted a multi-omics analysis, integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, on tissue samples from patients with endometrial cancer and patients with benign uterine diseases. As a result, they observed that Bacillus megaterium was more abundant in the group of patients at lower risk of recurrence and with longer survival rates.

Further analysis revealed that this bacterium possesses cutC, a key gene involved in choline metabolism, and there was a correlation between higher abundance of the bacterium in patient tissues and elevated blood TMAO levels.

The researchers also confirmed that the metabolic pathway in which this bacterium breaks down choline, a dietary component, is linked to the activation of anticancer immunity. They explained that TMAO stimulates type I interferon signaling, which subsequently leads to the activation of T cells that attack cancer cells.

In cell experiments, treatment with Bacillus megaterium enhanced the anticancer response of immune cells and inhibited the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. Increases in immune cells surrounding cancer cells and upregulation of immune-related genes were also observed. Similar effects were seen when TMAO was administered alone.

Han Soo Park, a professor at GIST who led the study, stated, "We have proposed a new microbe-based combination therapy strategy for endometrial cancer patients whose responses to conventional anticancer drugs or immune checkpoint inhibitors are limited."

Maria Lee, a professor at Seoul National University Hospital, commented, "Through patient tissue and serum cohorts collected over several years, we have provided a novel microbial perspective to the question: 'Why do some patients experience recurrence while others do not?'"

GIST added that, in addition to its academic significance, this research achievement also considers industrial applications, and that discussions regarding technology transfer can be conducted through the Technology Commercialization Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.