Preliminary Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Gastrointestinal Symptom Burden in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Compared to Healthy Controls

Jemmie Hoang; Stephanie Gilbertson-White; Nicole Cady; Meeta Yadav; Shailesh Shahi; Leeann Aguilar; Ashutosh K. Mangalam; Catherine Cherwin

doi:10.1177/10998004231205277

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Preliminary Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Gastrointestinal Symptom Burden in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Compared to Healthy Controls

Journal article

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Preliminary Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Gastrointestinal Symptom Burden in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Compared to Healthy Controls

Jemmie Hoang, Stephanie Gilbertson-White, Nicole Cady, Meeta Yadav, Shailesh Shahi, Leeann Aguilar, Ashutosh K. Mangalam and Catherine Cherwin

Biological research for nursing, Vol.26(2), pp.219-230

04/2024

DOI: 10.1177/10998004231205277

PMCID: PMC11145515

PMID: 37830211

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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11145515/pdf/10.1177_10998004231205277.pdfView

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Abstract

Background Alterations in the naturally occurring bacteria of the gut, known as the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome, may influence GI symptoms in women with breast cancer. Objective This work aims to describe GI symptom occurrence, duration, severity, and distress and measures of the GI microbiome among women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Interventions/Methods 22 women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy and 17 healthy control women provided stool specimens and GI symptom data using the modified Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). The fecal microbiome was profiled by metagenomic sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA (rRNA). GI microbiome was compared between groups using alpha-diversity (Observed OTU number and Shannon index), beta-diversity (UniFrac distances), and relative abundance of select genera. Results GI symptoms with high symptom reports among breast cancer patients included nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, dry mouth, taste change, and poor appetite. Indices of differential abundance (beta diversity) significantly distinguished between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Unique bacterial features differentiating the 2 groups were Prevotella_9, Akkermansia, Lachnospira, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136, Lachnoclostridium, and Oscillibacter. Conclusions Gut bacteria are associated with GI inflammation and mucus degradation, suggesting the potential role of the GI microbiome in GI symptom burden. Understanding the influence of GI bacteria on gut health and symptoms will help harness the enormous potential of the GI microbiome as a future diagnostic and therapeutic agent to reduce the symptom burden associated with chemotherapy.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Preliminary Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Gastrointestinal Symptom Burden in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Compared to Healthy Controls
Creators: Jemmie Hoang - University of Iowa
Stephanie Gilbertson-White - College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Nicole Cady - University of Michigan
Meeta Yadav - University of Iowa
Shailesh Shahi - University of Iowa
Leeann Aguilar - Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Ashutosh K. Mangalam - University of Iowa
Catherine Cherwin - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Biological research for nursing, Vol.26(2), pp.219-230
DOI: 10.1177/10998004231205277
PMID: 37830211
PMCID: PMC11145515
NLM abbreviation: Biol Res Nurs
ISSN: 1099-8004
eISSN: 1552-4175
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000056, name: National Institute of Nursing Research, award: 1P20NR018081-01
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 10/13/2023
Date published: 04/2024
Academic Unit: Pathology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984480137302771

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