The Tight Connection Between the Gut Microbiota and Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: An Updated Review

The human microbiota, comprising bacteria, fungi, and viruses, primarily resides in the gut, skin, and oral and nasal cavities. The gut microbiota represents the largest and most functionally relevant microbial community, playing a crucial role in digestion, metabolism and immunity. Microbiota composition and diversity have been associated with several diseases such as cancer, affecting drug efficacy, toxicity and clinical outcome. Interactions between the gut microbiota and the host immune system may contribute to the aetiology and progression of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). In this review, we summarized the general features of the gut microbiota in cancer patients and its specific role in aetiology, treatment and prognosis of paediatric ALL. Profiling the gut microbiota may help to shed the light on the mechanism of onset and to support the development of personalized treatment strategies and follow-up in children with ALL, contributing to precision medicine.