Exploring the metabolomics and metagenomics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer: unraveling the complex interplay

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are two leading respiratory disorders that impose substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burdens worldwide. Epidemiological evidence indicates that patients with COPD have a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer, suggesting potential shared pathophysiological mechanisms between these two conditions. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of these diseases is crucial for the improvement of early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. In recent years, advances in high-throughput technologies have enabled the emergence of metabolomics and metagenomics as powerful tools in biomedical research. Metabolomics allows for the comprehensive profiling of small-molecule metabolites, providing a global snapshot of metabolic dysregulation associated with disease onset and progression. Concurrently, metagenomics facilitates an in-depth analysis of the microbial communities residing in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, shedding light on the crucial roles of the microbiota in modulating host immunity, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Metabolomics and metagenomics, cutting-edge fields in biomedical research, provide valuable insights into the intricate interplay between host genetics, environmental factors, and microbial communities. These two omics disciplines offer unique but complementary perspectives on the complex biological processes linking COPD and lung cancer. In this review, we delve into the recent research findings on altered metabolomics and metagenomics in COPD and lung cancer, while also exploring the possible associations between these two areas of study.