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Review
. 2021 Feb 12;13(4):767.
doi: 10.3390/cancers13040767.

The Multifaceted Roles of Diet, Microbes, and Metabolites in Cancer

Heather Armstrong  1   2 , Michael Bording-Jorgensen  1   2 , Eytan Wine  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

The Multifaceted Roles of Diet, Microbes, and Metabolites in Cancer

Heather Armstrong et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Many studies performed to date have implicated select microbes and dietary factors in a variety of cancers, yet the complexity of both these diseases and the relationship between these factors has limited the ability to translate findings into therapies and preventative guidelines. Here we begin by discussing recently published studies relating to dietary factors, such as vitamins and chemical compounds used as ingredients, and their contribution to cancer development. We further review recent studies, which display evidence of the microbial-diet interaction in the context of cancer. The field continues to advance our understanding of the development of select cancers and how dietary factors are related to the development, prevention, and treatment of these cancers. Finally, we highlight the science available in the discussion of common misconceptions with regards to cancer and diet. We conclude this review with thoughts on where we believe future research should focus in order to provide the greatest impact towards human health and preventative medicine.

Keywords: cancer; diet; microbes; misconceptions; nutrition; prevention; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest directly related to this research.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cancer promoting and preventative interactions of dietary factors and organ systems. Intake of dietary factors, as demonstrated only by more recent research studies, can affect cancer progression through positive (green) or negative (red) effects on organ systems, as indicated. Details are further highlighted in Table 1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential effects of dietary factors on organs effected by cancer. Intake of dietary factors potentially affect bodily organs through direct filtration of blood or absorptive processes, or indirectly through regulation of metabolites absorbed by the gut, glycemic control (glucose, insulin, cholesterol), regulation of metabolic pathways, inflammatory response to systemic cytokine production, altered sex hormone activity, neurotransmitter metabolism, and response to chronic obesity, as indicated.
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