Gut microbiome factors and dietary modulation may optimize triple-negative breast cancer management

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Frontiers in Medicine Published May 30, 2026 Medically reviewed May 30, 2026 Study authors: Armina Saadatkhah, Laura Nicholson, Thomas A. Buchholz, Lee Hong DOI ↗ By Dr. Lars van Dijk, PhD · Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic

Key Takeaway

Consider how gut microbiome factors and diet may optimize triple-negative breast cancer management

This narrative review explores the potential impact of gut microbiome composition and diversity on triple-negative breast cancer. The scope includes the influence of antibiotics, obesity, and dietary modulation as well as microbiome-targeted interventions. The authors synthesize current understanding of how these biological and lifestyle factors relate to the disease context. Specific quantitative outcomes and sample sizes were not reported in the source document. The review does not provide pooled effect sizes or statistical significance values. Safety data and tolerability profiles were also not reported. The authors acknowledge these gaps in the available evidence. The primary focus remains on conceptual optimization of management approaches rather than definitive clinical trial results. Practice relevance centers on improving patient outcomes through a better understanding of these modifiable factors. Clinicians should interpret these findings as exploratory rather than conclusive given the lack of reported primary outcomes.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedMay 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

The gut microbiome, a metabolically active community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, regulates host immunity, metabolism, and inflammation. Dysbiosis, or disruption of this ecosystem, has been linked to cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10–15% of breast cancers and is managed primarily with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors; however, treatment responses remain variable and these patients are at higher risk of cancer recurrence compared to patients with hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive breast cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbial composition and its diversity can influence outcomes and therapeutic efficacy of systemic treatments in TNBC. We review the current epidemiologic, mechanistic, and clinical evidence on how the gut microbiome influences TNBC biology, with particular attention to the tumor immune microenvironment and response to therapy. We highlight protective and pro-tumorigenic microbial signatures, the impact of antibiotics and obesity, and emerging strategies, such as dietary modulation and microbiome-targeted interventions, that may ultimately be used to optimize TNBC management and improve patient outcomes.