The LAMp-LC Study: Unveiling the lung microbiome in Australians with early- and late-stage lung cancer using shotgun metagenomics

In an Australian cohort, shotgun metagenomics shows early- and late-stage lung cancer is linked to progressive lower-airway dysbiosis, including smoking-associated core commensal depletion.

• Why it matters: The lower airway microbiota’s role in lung cancer development and progression is not well defined, limiting microbiome-based diagnostic or therapeutic opportunities.
• What they did: Lung microbiomes from bronchial washes and oral cavity were profiled in lung cancer (n=106) versus healthy controls (n=10) using shotgun metagenomics plus semi-quantitative culture, with models adjusted for smoking pack-years, sex, and tumour characteristics.
• The result: Beta diversity in both early- and late-stage bronchial washes diverged from healthy controls, Shannon diversity was reduced in early-stage versus late-stage, and early-stage TME showed reduced microbial cultivability.

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