Intratumoral microbiome in clear cell renal cell carcinoma – a new factor in the tumor microenvironment
Authors:
Peter Polaček 1; Vojtěch Fiala 1; David Feldmar 2; Martin Matějů 3; Otakar Čapoun 1; Viktor Soukup 1
Authors‘ workplace:
Urologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze
1; Onkologická klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol a Homolka, Praha
2; Onkologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze
3
Published in:
Ces Urol 2026; 30(3): 126-131
Category:
Review article
doi:
https://doi.org/10.48095/cccu2026018
Overview
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), is the most common histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma and represents a significant oncological burden with particularly high incidence in European countries. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on the tumor microenvironment, which also includes the intratumoral microbiome – microorganisms present directly within tumor tissue. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the composition of the intratumoral microbiome in ccRCC, its relationship with the tumor immune microenvironment, and its potential prognostic significance. Available studies confirm the presence of bacterial DNA within ccRCC tumor tissue and demonstrate differences in microbial composition compared with adjacent non-tumorous tissue, including reduced alpha diversity. Specific microbial genera associated with overall survival and with patterns of immune cell infiltration have been identified. Some microorganisms appear to be linked to antitumor adaptive immune responses, whereas others are associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and unfavorable prognosis. Current evidence also suggests a possible relationship between the microbiome and response to systemic therapy. Although existing evidence is largely observational and subject to methodological limitations, the intratumoral microbiome represents a promising field of research. Future studies should focus on methodological standardization and prospective validation of the clinical relevance of microbial signatures in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Keywords:
immunotherapy – Immunity – Prognosis – clear cell renal cell carcinoma – tumor microenvironment – intratumoral microbiome – alpha diversity – 16S rRNA sequencing
Sources
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Paediatric urologist Nephrology UrologyArticle was published in
Czech Urology
2026 Issue 3
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