Narrative review links microbiome dysbiosis to gynecological cancer pathogenesis and potential therapeutic applicationsMicrobiome changes may help explain how gynecological cancers start and grow

This narrative review explores the intersection of the human microbiome and gynecological malignancies, specifically focusing on cervical, ovarian, endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. The scope encompasses the investigation of microbial signatures and the potential utility of microbiome-based interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary manipulation, and transplantation methods. The authors argue that recent evidence suggests the human microbiome plays a central role in the pathogenesis and development of these conditions. Consequently, microbial dysbiosis is implicated in various biological processes, including carcinogenesis pathways, HPV persistence, monitoring of therapy, and immune surveillance or therapy resistance.

The review discusses how alterations in the vaginal microbiota may influence tumor microenvironment remodeling and prognosis. However, the authors explicitly acknowledge associated limitations inherent to the current body of literature. Specific sample sizes, follow-up durations, and adverse event rates were not reported in this narrative synthesis. The text does not present pooled effect sizes or quantitative data from primary trials, as the source is a qualitative commentary rather than a meta-analysis or systematic review.

Regarding clinical application, the authors suggest that understanding these microbial interactions could transform gynecological cancer prevention, detection, and treatment strategies. Nevertheless, the review does not provide specific dosing, safety profiles, or comparative efficacy data. The certainty of these conclusions is not reported, and the evidence remains observational in nature. Clinicians should interpret these findings as suggestive of biological plausibility rather than proven therapeutic efficacy at this stage.