Tumours are not just self sustained masses of proliferating cancer cells! Tumours are cloaked in a "micro-environment" of immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils and even bacteria, as tumours also have their distinct microbiome, which plays a key role in shaping the outcomes of cancer.

Matteo Massara, a post-doctoral research at the University of Lausanne (UNIL, Switzerland) studies the complexity of the immune micro-environment of tumours. In this episode, we discuss:

•  how tumour inflammation can be targeted for treatment
•  how bacteria in our microbiota can drive cancer progression even at distant sites via gut-brain communication 
•  the challenges of  studying tumour environments when so many factors and variables are involved

This episode is by no means exhaustive as the field of inflammation and microbiome in cancer is exploding but will hopefully give you a flavour of what lies at the intersections of microbiology and cancer immunology. It also reminds us that we should never forget to consider the micro-organisms within us as a key players in all aspects of our physiology, normal or abnormal, including cancer!