Evaluation of the gut microbiome and sex hormones in postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed hormone receptor-positive breast cancer versus healthy women: a prospective case-control study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The functional composition and diversity of the gut microbiome may affect breast cancer risk by modulation of systemic sex hormones. Gut bacteria with β-glucuronidase enzymatic activity may deconjugate estrogens, leading to increased estrogen reabsorption into the circulation thereby increasing breast cancer risk. We investigated the relationship between the gut bacterial microbiome and endogenous estrogens and related sex hormones in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer compared to healthy control women. The goal was to determine if the estrobolome (i.e., bacteria capable of modulating the body's circulated estrogen levels) was altered in those with breast cancer compared with controls.

Methods

In this prospective case-control study, postmenopausal wom

SUBMITTER: Kwa M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494539 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature