Intratumoral microbiome evaluated progression and outcome of patients with HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

In this study, through a comparative analysis for 16S rDNA gene variable regions (5R) and immunohistochemical cell localizations for bacteria and biomarkers in tumor tissues from forty HBV-associated HCC patients, we gained novel insights into the microbiome characteristics in HBV-associated HCC patients. We observed bacteria localization and staining patterns of 16S rRNA, LPS and LTA in different cell types. We analyzed relationships of taxa abundances in the HCC tissues and clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the HCC patients. We demonstrated that Burkholderia cepacia (s), Microcuccus luteus (s) and Microcuccus (g) would be taxon signatures in HBV-associated HCC tissues. Gut microbiome dysbiosis would have a profound effect on progression and outcome of HBV-associated HCC patients.