Abstract P1-02-05: Endocrine-targeted therapies modify the gut microbiome affecting responsiveness in ER+ breast cancer
Authors: Arnone Alana , Wilson Adam S. , Chiba Akiko , Kerr Bethany , Soto-Pantoja David R. , Thomas Alexandra , Cook Katherine L. 
Published: March 2023

Background: The microbiome consists of the totality of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protist, viruses, and phages) that live on and within the body. Studies implicate the gut bacterial microbiome as a risk factor for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. While diet is the main contributor to the gut microbiome, medications also shift the bacterial microbiome. We currently do not know whether oral endocrine targeting therapies, such as aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen shift the gut microbiome. Furthermore, we do not know whether gut microbiome populations can influence drug efficacy. Methods: Fecal samples from human donors were placed into ex-vivo colonic bioreactors for stabilization (n=3). Bioreactors were untreated or treated with letrozole or tamoxifen citrate for 48 hours. Samples were collected, DNA isolated, and metagenomic sequencing performed to determine direct drug-bug interactions. C57BL/6 mice were placed on a healthy control (HC; 21% kcal from fat derived from olive oil and fish oil) or a Western diet (45% kcal from fat derived from corn oil, lard, and milkfat) for 6 weeks. Mice within dietary patterns were randomized and administered control, tamoxifen (TAM; 37 ppm tamoxifen citrate), or an aromatase inhibitor (AI; 5 ppm letrozole) for 16 weeks. Metagenomics sequencing were performed on fecal DNA samples at study endpoint. Female BALB/c mice fed a HC or Western diet were injected with bone metastatic 4T1.2ER+ breast cancer cells. Mice were administered tamoxifen citrate, oral probiotics, or a combination of TAM + probiotics for 3-weeks. Tumor volume, tumor weight, and lung weight were recorded at the end of the study. Hindlimbs were analyzed for metastatic lesions. Results: Metagenomic sequencing from the ex-vivo colonic bioreactors treated with aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen display differential shifts in several β-glucuronidase-expressing and obesity-associated bacterial species suggesting AI and selective estrogen receptor modulators have varying effects in the gut microbiome that may influence estrogen bioavailability and metabolic parameters. C57BL/6 mice on HC or Western diet treated with AI or TAM also display differences in the microbiota and phage populations with TAM elevating Lactobacillus johnsonii and letrozole increasing Lactococcus lactis bacterial proportional abundance. In the tumor-bearing model, combination of oral Lactobacillus probiotics and TAM significantly reduced tumor weight when compared with the tumor weight in control, TAM, or probiotic treated mice fed a Western diet. Combination of probiotics and TAM also prevented the development of ER+ bone metastatic lesions. Conclusions: Our study indicates oral endocrine therapies differentially affect the gut microbiome and these drug-bug interactions are sensitive to dietary-influenced baseline microbiota populations, which may influence drug efficacy and metabolic outcomes. Furthermore, our preclinical studies suggest oral probiotic supplements may enhance tamoxifen efficacy to reduce tumor growth and metastatic development. Further clinical studies are needed on this topic.

Citation Format: Alana Arnone, Adam S. Wilson, Akiko Chiba, Bethany Kerr, David R. Soto-Pantoja, Alexandra Thomas, Katherine L. Cook. Endocrine-targeted therapies modify the gut microbiome affecting responsiveness in ER+ breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-02-05.