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The Role of Uterine Microbiome Dysbiosis in Endometrial Cancer Development and Therapeutic Prospects

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DOI: 10.23977/medsc.2025.060208 | Downloads: 17 | Views: 499

Author(s)

Yuhang Li 1, Yingzi Wu 2, Yanhong Yang 3

Affiliation(s)

1 School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
2 School of Clinical Medical, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
3 Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China

Corresponding Author

Yanhong Yang

ABSTRACT

The uterine microbiome comprises diverse microorganisms essential for maintaining reproductive health by regulating immune responses, endocrine signaling, and cellular processes. Recent studies increasingly associate uterine microbiome dysbiosis—an imbalance in microbial composition—with the onset and progression of endometrial cancer (EC). Dysbiosis can trigger chronic inflammation, disrupt hormonal metabolism, and induce genetic mutations in endometrial cells, all contributing to carcinogenesis. Clinically, specific pathogenic microorganisms and reduced microbial diversity have been identified in EC patients compared to healthy controls, though findings remain inconsistent due to methodological variability and limited study sizes. Emerging evidence also suggests that microbial patterns might correlate with distinct EC subtypes, influencing disease aggressiveness and prognosis. Current therapeutic strategies aiming to restore microbial balance include probiotics, targeted antibiotic therapy, and experimental microbiome transplantation, each with unique potentials and challenges. Additionally, identifying early microbial biomarkers could facilitate earlier EC detection, enable monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, and predict patient prognosis. Despite these promising insights, significant gaps remain, particularly in establishing a clear causal relationship between microbiome dysbiosis and EC. Future research requires longitudinal human studies, advanced animal models, and interdisciplinary collaboration to validate microbial modulation as a viable therapeutic target. Addressing methodological limitations and standardizing microbiome analysis protocols will be crucial to harnessing the full potential of microbiome-based diagnostics and treatments, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with endometrial cancer.

KEYWORDS

Uterine Microbiome; Endometrial Cancer; Microbiome Dysbiosis

CITE THIS PAPER

Yuhang Li, Yingzi Wu, Yanhong Yang, The Role of Uterine Microbiome Dysbiosis in Endometrial Cancer Development and Therapeutic Prospects. MEDS Clinical Medicine (2025) Vol. 6: 53-62. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/medsc.2025.060208.

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