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PANCREATIC CANCER

Microbes as biomarkers and targets in pancreatic cancer

The presence and prognostic relevance of the intratumoural microbiota in pancreatic cancer, and the roles of intratumoural bacteria in oncogenesis and therapeutic response are beginning to be elucidated. The feasibility of characterizing intratumoural microbial communities from paraffin-embedded tissues has now been validated, providing greater opportunities for retrospective research. Prospective studies are also needed to test the efficacy of rational approaches combining microbial modulation with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.

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Correspondence to George Miller.

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Competing interests

G.M. has research contract agreements with GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Puretech Health. J.C.L. declares no competing interests.

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Leinwand, J.C., Miller, G. Microbes as biomarkers and targets in pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 16, 665–666 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-019-0276-3

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