Microbial Genomic Consortia in Prostate Cancer: Mechanistic Signaling, the Gut–Prostate Axis, and Translational Perspectives
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) arises from complex interactions among host genetics, androgen signaling, and microbial communities. Emerging genomic evidence supports the presence of microbial consortia within prostate tissue, suggesting that microbial genes, metabolites, and host–microbe interactions may contribute to chronic inflammation, oncogenic signaling, and therapeutic resistance. Methods: We conducted a narrative review using targeted searches of PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2025, complemented by selected mechanistic reports published in March 2026. Human studies and experimental research providing mechanistic insights into prostate models were prioritized. Due to the heterogeneous methodologies, evidence was synthesized qualitatively, with an emphasis on genomic and signaling perspectives. Results: Low-biomass microbial DNA is consistently detected in prostate tissue. Proteomic analyses of Corpora amylacea suggest a “fossil record” of past infections through sequestered microbial DNA and antimicrobial proteins, potentially priming tissue for long-term carcinogenic processes, although contamination remains a key limitation. Recurrent bacterial and viral signals, including Cutibacterium acnes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, human papillomavirus, Epstein–Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus, appear to converge on a restricted set of tumor-relevant pathways, including TLR–NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, cGAS–STING, and p53/pRb disruption. These interactions may promote cytokine production, oxidative stress, DNA damage, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix remodeling, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy. The gut–prostate axis further links intestinal dysbiosis and microbial metabolites with systemic IGF-1 signaling and castration resistance. Conclusions: Microbial genomic consortia in the prostate and gut may shape inflammatory, metabolic, and immune networks that influence PCa initiation and progression. However, most available data remain correlative and are limited by low-biomass sampling, contamination risk, and heterogeneous study designs. Future research should prioritize rigorous contamination control, longitudinal and prostate-specific mechanistic studies, and integrated multi-omic approaches to clarify causality and identify actionable microbial targets for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.
Source: Cancers
Authors: Eduardo Pérez-Campos Mayoral, Laura Pérez-Campos Mayoral, María Teresa Hernández-Huerta, Hector Alejandro Cabrera-Fuentes, Efrén Emmanuel Jarquín-González, Héctor Martínez-Ruiz, Margarito Martínez-Cruz, Carlos Romero-Diaz, Miriam Emily Avendaño-Villegas, Gabriel Mayoral-Andrade, Carlos Mauricio Lastre-Domínguez, Edgar Zenteno, María del Socorro Pina-Canseco, Primitivo Ismael Olivera González, Lucia Martínez-Martínez, Bernardo Rodrigo Santiago-Luna, Javier Vázquez-Pérez, Andrea Paola Cruz-Pérez, Diana Palmero-Alcántara, Tania Sinaí Santiago-Ramírez, Erico Briones-Guerash, Abelardo Augusto Ramírez-Davila, Juan de Dios Ruiz-Rosado, Eduardo Pérez-Campos
Institutions: Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Secretaria de Salud, Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Abigail Wexner Research Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
OpenAlex ID: W7154050000