Background Recent studies indicate that microorganisms significantly influence lung cancer pathogenesis. This research explores the variations in microbiota and metabolites in the lower respiratory tract between lung cancer patients and individuals with benign pulmonary lesions to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers.Methods Two hundred eight patients undergoing bronchoscopy at Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital and Tianjin Chest Hospital from October 2022 to October 2023 were screened. Ninety-five bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomic analysis. Comparisons of microbial diversity, taxonomic composition, and metabolite profiles were conducted between groups with lung cancer and benign lung conditions.Results The cohort comprised 70 patients with lung cancer and 25 with benign lung lesions. Patients with lung cancer showed significantly reduced beta-diversity (p = 0.005). Predominant microbes in lung cancer cases included Streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Veillonella parvula. A microbial-based diagnostic model differentiated lung cancer from benign lesions with an AUC of 0.931 (95%CI: 0.916-0.946). Metabolites increased in lung cancer were Citric acid, N-Acetylneuraminic acid, Oxoglutaric acid, and Neopterin, whereas L-Tryptophan, Uridine, 3-Hydroxybutyric acid decreased. The KEGG pathways suggest a significant link between microbial presence and both tumorigenesis and progression.Conclusion Specific microbial patterns in the lower respiratory tract of lung cancer patients could assist in the auxiliary diagnosis of the disease. The notably altered microorganisms and metabolites in the BALF from lung cancer patients, as opposed to those with benign conditions, correlate with cancer initiation and advancement.
[1]Beijing Chaoyang Sanhuan Canc Hosp, Dept Med Oncol, Beijing, Peoples R China.
[2]Tianjin Med Univ Canc Inst & Hosp, Natl Clin Res Ctr Canc, Tianjins Clin Res Ctr Canc, Dept Endoscopy,China Key Lab Canc Prevent & Therap, Tianjin, Peoples R China.
[3]Tianjin Univ, Tianjin Chest Hosp, Affiliated Chest Hosp, Dept Resp & Crit Med, Tianjin, Peoples R China.
[4]Vis Med Ctr Infect Dis, Guangzhou, Peoples R China.
[5]Tianjin Med Univ Canc Inst & Hosp, Ctr Precis Canc Med & Translat Res, Key Lab Canc Prevent & Therapy, Natl Clin Res Ctr Canc,Tianjins Clin Res Ctr Canc, Tianjin, Peoples R China.
[6]Chinese Acad Med Sci & Peking Union Med Coll, Natl Clin Res Ctr Canc, Canc Hosp, Dept Med Oncol,Natl Canc Ctr, Beijing, Peoples R China.
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