Untersuchung des Darmmikrobioms bei Gliompatienten

The gut-brain axis has gained significant attention in neurological diseases in the past years. However, its role in gliomas remains underexplored. In this study, we aimed to assess gut dysbiosis and evaluate the potential of gut microbiota as a biomarker in glioma patients.

We collected stool samples from 32 glioma patients at admission and again 4 weeks after primary surgery. A primary control group was composed of 20 healthy individuals. To enhance differentiation, stool samples were also collected from a secondary control group consisting of inpatients with similar comorbidities but no glioma. The bacterial composition of each sample was analyzed using 16S-rRNA sequencing.

A total of 32 glioma patients, 20 healthy controls, and 21 inpatients were included in the study. In the glioma group, the bacterial family Sutterellaceae and the genera Lachnospira, Fusicatenibacter, and Phocaeicola were underrepresented compared to healthy controls (Sutterellaceae: p = 0.000006; Lachnospira: p = 0.0001; Fusicatenibacter: p = 0.0007; Phocaeicola: p = 0.01), while the family Clostridiales incertae sedis was overrepresented (p = 0.004). However, when comparing the gut microbiota of glioma patients to inpatients with similar comorbidities but without glioma, no significant differences were found. Interestingly, longitudinal analysis revealed that the family Sutterellaceae, which was underrepresented in glioma patients at admission compared to healthy controls, significantly increased after surgery (p = 0.009).

Our data provide evidence of gut dysbiosis in glioma patients; however, the observed changes in gut microbiota do not appear to be specific to glioma. On the other hand, longitudinal analysis may offer potential for therapy monitoring in glioma patients. Further studies, particularly those assessing the functionality of the gut microbiota, are needed to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the gut-brain axis in glioma.