Project title: The role and dynamics of the oral and gut microbiome in childhood cancer patients.

Period: 01.03.2025. – 31.12.2025.

Project costs: 324937,11 EUR

Principal Investigator in BMC: Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība

Cooperation partner: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Foundation “Children’s Hospital Foundation”

Project summary:

In pediatric oncology patients, alterations in the gut and oral microbiome can occur due to various external factors, such as antibiotic use, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or dietary changes. These alterations may potentially impact immune responses, leading to increased susceptibility to infections, altered responses to immunotherapy, modifications in the tumor microenvironment and tumor development, as well as the long-term effects of anticancer therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the composition and dynamics of the gut and oral microbiome in childhoos cancer patients to identify specific microbiome-associated markers that could help predict disease progression, the effectiveness of anticancer therapy, and potential complications.

Information published 27.03.2025.

Progress of the project

1 March 2025 – 31 May 2025

The study has recruited 73 pediatric cancer patients, who have collectively donated 595 stool sample aliquots and 249 buccal swab aliquots to the biobank for gut and oral microbiome analyses. Microbial DNA sequencing has already been performed for 16 patients, and data analysis is ongoing.

Information published 02.06.2025.

Progress of the project:

1 June 2025 – 31 August 2025

The collection, primary processing, and sequencing of fecal and oral mucosal swab samples is ongoing. Currently, 76 patients are enrolled in the study, with 646 gut microbiome samples and 280 oral microbiome samples obtained at different time points during anticancer therapy. Microbial DNA sequencing has been performed for 33 patients.

Information published 01.09.2025.