Changes in the fecal microbiota of breast cancer patients based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Breast cancer (BC) is a devastating disease for women. Microbial influences may be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the difference in intestinal flora abundance between breast cancer patients and healthy controls (HC) based on previous 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing results, which have been scattered and inconsistent in previous studies.

Materials and methods

In agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we searched for pertinent literature in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from build until February 1, 2023. Relative abundance, diversity of intestinal microflora by level, microbial composition, community structure, diversity index, and other related data were extracted. We used a fixed or random effects model for data analysis. We also conducted funnel plot analysis, sensitivity analysis, Egger's, and Begg’s tests to assess the bias risk.

Results

A total of ten studies involving 734 BC patients were enrolled. It was pointed out that there were significant differences in the Chao index between BC and HC in these studies [SMD = − 175.44 (95% CI − 246.50 to − 104.39)]. The relative abundance of Prevotellaceae [SMD = − 0.27 (95% CI − 0.39 to − 0.15)] and Bacteroides [SMD = 0.36 (95% CI 0.23–0.49)] was significantly different. In the included articles, the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcus, Roseburia inulinivorans, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii decreased in BC. Accordingly, the relative richness of Erysipelotrichaceae was high in BC.

Conclusions

This observational meta-analysis revealed that the changes in gut microbiota were correlated with BC, and the changes in some primary fecal microbiota might affect the beginning of breast cancer.