Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Cancers arise through the process of somatic evolution fuelled by the inception of somatic mutations. We lack a complete understanding of the sources of these somatic mutations. Humans host a vast repertoire of microbes collectively known as the microbiota. The microbiota plays a role in altering the tumour microenvironment and proliferation. In addition, microbes have been shown to elicit DNA damage which provides the substrate for somatic mutations. An understanding of microbiota-driven mutational mechanism would contribute to a more complete understanding of the origins of the cancer genome. Here we review the modes by which microbes stimulate DNA damage and the effect of these phenomena upon the cancer genomic architecture, specifically in the form of mutational spectra and mutational signatures.
Author: Maurice Barrett
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3199057175