Influence of gut microbiota on prostate cancer progression

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09421
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Matsushita Makoto 大阪大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 招へい教員 (40824785)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 藤田 和利 近畿大学, 医学部, 准教授 (50636181)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 前立腺癌 / 腸内細菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of changes in the intestinal microbiota caused by lifestyle habits, such as diet, on the progression of prostate cancer and the mechanisms underlying these. First, we conducted experiments with prostate cancer model mice fed a high-fat diet and found that short-chain fatty acids, a metabolite of intestinal bacteria, and decreased diversity of the gut microbiota promoted prostate cancer growth through different mechanisms. Furthermore, we analyzed the human gut microbiota and showed that bacterial such as Alistips and Lachnospira were significantly increased in patients with high-grade prostate cancer, and that index calculated from the composition of the gut microbiota could be a predictive marker for prostate cancer. These results suggest that the intestinal microbiota is closely involved in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.

Free Research Field

前立腺癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、腸内細菌叢が腸管局所の疾患のみならず、糖尿病や肝硬変などの全身の疾患に影響を与えることが、明らかになってきている。生活習慣がリスク因子になる前立腺癌においても腸内細菌叢の影響を受けることが疑われたが、両者の関係性は不明であった。しかし、本研究により腸内細菌代謝産物が前立腺癌の病態に関与することが示唆された。さらに、腸内細菌叢は前立腺癌の有用なマーカーになり、高リスク群への生活指導やプロ/プレバイオティクスによる腸内細菌叢への介入がリスク軽減に役立つ可能性がある。増加傾向にある前立腺癌に対する新たな予防戦略として、腸内細菌叢に関連する研究の更なる発展および臨床応用が期待される。