Influence of gut microbiota on chronic lymphocytic leukemia development and aggressiveness

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly heterogenous both clinically and biologically. Although genetic factors have been identified, several lines of evidence suggest a role for environmental factors in disease onset and progression. Diet is a recognized risk factor for various diseases including cancer and its relationship to the composition of the gut microbiome is well established. Taking advantage of the widely used Em-TCL1 transgenic model, we investigated the relationship between diet, gut microbiota and CLL development. We observed a progressive shift in the microbiome composition in animals fed with different diets and an acceleration of disease expansion associated with a specific diet and changes in the microbiome composition. Our data suggest a close link between diet, gut microbiota and CLL development and pave the way for detailed studies to be conducted in controlled cohorts of patients with CLL to elucidate the role of diet in disease incidence and evolution