Vaginal microbiomes of breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors with and without vulvovaginal symptoms
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85188834845
Journal Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
14
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Prasanchit P., Pongchaikul P., Lertsittichai P., Tantitham C., Manonai J. Vaginal microbiomes of breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors with and without vulvovaginal symptoms. Scientific Reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-58118-3 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/97870
Title
Vaginal microbiomes of breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors with and without vulvovaginal symptoms
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the leading cause of vaginal symptoms in breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors. However, there are currently no effective treatment options available for women with a history of breast cancer. Recent research has established that changes in the vaginal microbiome may be linked to GSM. Most studies have assessed the microbiome without accounting for the estrogen status. It remains unknown whether the vaginal microbiome differ among patients with a low estrogenic state with and without vulvovaginal symptoms. To address such research questions, our study compares the vaginal microbiomes among breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors with and without vulvovaginal symptoms. A total of 50 breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors were recruited, among whom 25 had vulvovaginal symptoms and 25 had no vulvovaginal symptoms. Vaginal swabs were collected. DNA extraction, followed by sequencing of the V3–V4 regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, were performed. Differential abundance analysis was conducted by linear discriminant analysis effect size. Taxonomy assignment, alpha diversity and beta diversity were examined. The relative abundance of genus Sneathia and genus Gardnerella was significantly increased in vulvovaginal symptoms group with no differences in bacterial diversity and richness.