Microbial metabolites have been indicated to communicate with the host's endocrine system, regulating
hormone production, immune-endocrine communications, and interactions along the gut-brain axis, eventually affecting the occurrence of
endocrine cancer. Furthermore, microbiota metabolites such as
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been found to affect the tumor microenvironment and boost immunity against
tumors. SCFAs, including
butyrate and
acetate, have been demonstrated to exert anti-proliferative and anti-protective activity on
pancreatic cancer cells. The employing of microbial metabolic products in conjunction with radiation and
chemotherapy has shown promising outcomes in terms of reducing treatment side effects and boosting effectiveness. Certain metabolites, such as
valerate and
butyrate, have been made known to improve the efficiency of CAR T-cell treatment, whilst others, such as
indole-derived
tryptophan metabolites, have been shown to inhibit
tumor immunity. This review explores the intricate interplay between microbial metabolites and endocrine
tumorigenesis, spanning mechanistic insights to the discovery of potential therapeutic
biomarkers.