Akkermansia muciniphila: A potential target and pending issues for oncotherapy

• Published in: Pharmacological research 2023-10, Vol.196, p.106916-106916, Article 106916
• Main Authors: Zhao, Xu, Zhao, Juanjuan, Li, Dongmei, Yang, Han, Chen, Chao, Qin, Ming, Wen, Zhenke, He, Zhixu, Xu, Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Akkermansia muciniphila; Immunosurveillance; Next-generation probiotics; Oncotherapy; Targeted drug; Tumorigenesis
• ISSN: 1043-6618; 1096-1186
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106916

In the wake of the development of metagenomic, metabolomic, and metatranscriptomic approaches, the intricate interactions between the host and various microbes are now being progressively understood. Numerous studies have demonstrated evident changes in gut microbiota during the process of a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, aging, and cancers. Notably, gut microbiota is viewed as a potential source of novel therapeutics. Currently, Next-generation probiotics (NGPs) are gaining popularity as therapeutic agents that alter the gut microbiota and affect cancer development. Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila), a representative commensal bacterium, has received substantial attention over the past decade as a promising NGP. The components and metabolites of A. muciniphila can directly or indirectly affect tumorigenesis, in particular through its effects on antitumor immunosurveillance, including the stimulation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which also leads to better outcomes in a variety of situations, including the prevention and curation of cancers. In this article, we systematically summarize the role of A. muciniphila in tumorigenesis (involving gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal cancers) and in tumor therapy. In particular, we carefully discuss some critical scientific issues that need to be solved for the future using A. muciniphila as a representative beneficial bacterium in tumor treatment, which might provide bright clues and assistance for the application of drugs targeting A. muciniphila in clinical oncotherapy. [Display omitted] •A. muciniphila is one representative of gut microbiota with biological activities on host health.•A. muciniphila has broad effects on tumorigenesis including various types of tumor, particularly through immunosurveillance.•A. muciniphila can effectively improve the intervention efficacy of tumor therapy.•A. muciniphila represents a novel intervention approach for clinical oncotherapy and provides new insight for the development of drugs targeting gut microbiota including NGP in future.