Chlamydia trachomatis infection in primary fallopian tube and high-grade serous ovarian cancers: a pilot study

Deciphering the role of female reproductive tract microbiome in reproductive health: a review

Relevant studies increasingly indicate that female reproductive health is confronted with substantial challenges. Emerging research has revealed that the microbiome interacts with the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, which are the cornerstone of maintaining female reproductive health and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, the precise mechanisms underlying their interaction and impact on physiological functions of the reproductive tract remain elusive, constituting a prominent area of investigation within the field of female reproductive tract microecology. From this new perspective, we explore the mechanisms of interactions between the microbiome and the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, factors that affect the composition of the microbiome in the female reproductive tract, as well as personalized medicine approaches in managing female reproductive tract health based on the microbiome. This study highlights the pivotal role of the female reproductive tract microbiome in maintaining reproductive health and influencing the occurrence of reproductive tract diseases. These findings support the exploration of innovative approaches for the prevention, monitoring and treatment of female reproductive tract diseases based on the microbiome.

The microbiome and gynecologic cancer: cellular mechanisms and clinical applications

The microbiome plays a vital function in maintaining human health and homeostasis. Each microbiota has unique characteristics, including those of the gastrointestinal and female reproductive tract. Dysbiosis, or alterations to the composition of the microbial communities, impacts the microbiota-host relationship and is linked to diseases, including cancer. In addition, studies have demonstrated that the microbiota can contribute to a pro-carcinogenic state through altered host immunologic response, modulation of cell proliferation, signaling, gene expression, and dysregulated metabolism of nutrients and hormones.In recent years, the microbiota of the gut and female reproductive tracts have been linked to many diseases, including gynecologic cancers. Numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that specific bacteria or microbial communities may contribute to the development of gynecologic cancers. Further, the microbiota may also impact the toxicity and efficacy of cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy in women with gynecologic malignancies. The microbiota is highly dynamic and may be altered through various mechanisms, including diet, exercise, medications, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This review provides an overview of the current literature detailing the relationship between gynecologic cancers and the microbiota of the female reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, focusing on mechanisms of carcinogenesis and strategies for modulating the microbiota for cancer prevention and treatment. Advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between the microbiota and gynecologic cancer will provide a novel approach for prevention and therapeutic modulation in the future.

Association of Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with susceptibility to ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers with a high mortality rate in women. Published studies indicate that inflammation, DNA damage, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are the most important risk factors for ovarian cancer and this could be induced and exacerbated by infectious agents such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium. The aim of this study was to determine the association between Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections and the risk of ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We carried out a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar without limitation on publication date. All relevant studies which investigatived probable potential connection between Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infection and development of ovarian cancer were included.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies comprising a total of 8207 patients were evaluated in the study and this showed that the frequency of infection with Chlamydia and Mycoplasma among ovarian cancer patients was 32.6 % and 23 %, respectively. The results suggested that Chlamydia trachomatis infection increased the overall risk for ovarian cancer by 1.344 fold (OR: 1.344; 95 %CI: 1.19-1.50). Moreover, infection with Mycoplasma infections showed a week but not significant increased risk of ovarian cancer (OR: 1.12; 95 %CI: 0.86-1.44). However, the test for heterogeneity was significant among these studies.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the clinical relevance of Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infection and development of the ovarian cancer risk, although the significance was marginal and study heterogeneity was significant. This highlights the need for further studies in this area.

Detection and genotyping of CMV and HPV in tumors and fallopian tubes from epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Viral and bacterial infections are detected in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues. Since the fallopian tubes are often affected by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and the majority of serous EOCs appear to originate from dysplastic lesions in the distal tube, it is relevant to consider the potential role that infectious agents may play in ovarian carcinogenesis. We sought to analyze the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in EOC tissue and fallopian tube specimens obtained at tumor resection. Ovarian cancer and fallopian tube tissue samples obtained from patients with EOC were analyzed by both qualitative and quantitative PCR to detect and quantify viral DNA. The presence of CMV and HPV DNA was detected in 70% and 74% cancerous ovarian tissues, respectively, and was significantly higher in EOC than in benign tumor cases (P ≤ 0.01). CMV or HPV infection was observed also in the fallopian tube samples. Infection with HPV16 was determined in 70% of EOC cases. Almost two thirds of EOC patients demonstrated coinfection with CMV and HPV in the pathological samples. The results revealed that the presence of CMV and HPV in EOC samples is common. CMV and HPV infections can be potential risks for EOC development.

Chlamydia trachomatis and Anti-MUC1 Serology and Subsequent Risk of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Northern Sweden

BACKGROUND:Chlamydia trachomatis salpingitis causes inflammatory damage to the fallopian tube and could potentially cause initiation and progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). Furthermore, C. trachomatis infection may stimulate mucin 1 (MUC1) protein production, possibly affecting anti-MUC1 antibody levels. The aim of this study was to examine if serology indicating past infection with C. trachomatis as well as anti-MUC1 production was associated with subsequent risk of HGSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective nested case–control study within the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study and the Northern Sweden Maternity Cohort, the prevalence of chlamydial and anti-MUC1 antibodies was analyzed in blood samples drawn more than one year before diagnosis from 92 women with HGSC and 359 matched controls. Matching factors were age, date at blood draw, and sampling cohort. Plasma C. trachomatis IgG was analyzed using commercial micro-immunofluorescence test; chlamydial Heat Shock Protein 60 IgG (cHSP60) and anti-MUC1 IgG were analyzed with ELISA technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of C. trachomatis IgG and cHSP60 IgG antibodies, as well as the level of anti-MUC1 IgG was similar in women with HGSC and controls (16.3% vs. 17.0%, P = 0.87; 27.2% vs. 28.5%, P = 0.80; median 0.24 vs. 0.25, P = 0.70). Anti-MUC1 IgG and cHSP60 IgG levels were correlated (r = 0.169; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this prospective nested case–control study did not support an association between C. trachomatis infection, as measured by chlamydial serology, or anti-MUC1 IgG antibodies, and subsequent risk of HGSC.