Microbiome and Tumor Microenvironment Interactions: Advances From Ecological Niches to Precision Oncology

Abstract

The interplay between the microbiome and the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a cutting‐edge area in cancer research, revealing complex interactions that influence tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. Recent advances in microbiome research have expanded our understanding of tumor‐associated microbial communities beyond individual microbial signatures, highlighting their roles in shaping tumor ecosystems through ecological interactions. The composition and spatial distribution of intratumoral microbiota, the molecular dialogues between microbes, tumor cells, and immune components, and the contributions of microbial communities to tumor development and metastasis are systematically reviewed. Furthermore, it examines how microbial communities modulate the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, underscoring their impact on treatment outcomes. Moving beyond previous microbiome–cancer reviews that have primarily emphasized microbial composition, individual taxa, or specific molecular mechanisms, an ecological framework is introduced to conceptualize tumor‐associated microbiota as dynamic communities shaped by niche organization, microbial interactions, and host ecosystem constraints. The development of microbiome‐based precision diagnostic biomarkers and emerging therapeutic strategies, including probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, is further evaluated. Additionally, it proposes a novel integrative multi‐omics framework to decode the microecological and tumor interaction networks. By synthesizing recent advances, this work establishes an ecological perspective for understanding microbiome–tumor interactions and guiding future development of microbiome‐informed precision oncology strategies.