Molecular orchestra of microbiotic metabolites in the scenario of carcinogenesis

Abstract

The mechanisms of carcinogenesis are extremely complex. Many players determine the scenario of malignant cell transformation, tumor growth and metastasis. In recent decades, more and more attention has been paid to the role of the symbiotic human microbiota in the regulation of metabolism and the functioning of the immune system of the host organism. Such a symbiosis of a macroorganism and its microorganisms was combined into the concept of a holoorganism. In the process of coevolution of the participants of the holoorganism, the ways of their interaction were formed, and the metabolites of the microbiota acquired a special role - signaling molecules and the main regulators of molecular interactions in the holoorganism. Being involved in the signaling pathways of the host, bacterial metabolites turned out to be obligatory participants in both physiological and pathological processes, including tumor growth. At the same time, the effects of signaling metabolites often have a multidirectional character, manifested in the impact both on the functions of the host cells and on the metabolic activity and composition of the microbiome. This review discusses the role of some microbiotic metabolites in the induction and prevention of the process of malignant transformation of cells in the host organism, as well as their influence on the effectiveness of anticancer therapy. We have tried to draw the reader’s attention to the role of some components of the molecular orchestra of microbial metabolites in the initiation and progression of tumor growth.