Luo L, Huang G, Yang H, Chi H. Revisiting multi-region 16S sequencing in gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(1): 114708 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i1.114708]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Hao Chi, MD, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States. chihao7511@gmail.com
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Oncology
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Editorial
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jan 15, 2026 (publication date) through Jan 12, 2026
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World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
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1948-5204
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Luo L, Huang G, Yang H, Chi H. Revisiting multi-region 16S sequencing in gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(1): 114708 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i1.114708]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jan 15, 2026; 18(1): 114708 Published online Jan 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i1.114708
Revisiting multi-region 16S sequencing in gastric cancer
Liu Luo, Gang Huang, Hua Yang, Hao Chi
Liu Luo, Gang Huang, Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
Hua Yang, Hao Chi, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
Author contributions: Luo L conceived the study design, drafted the initial manuscript, and revised the content critically; Huang G contributed to literature review, data interpretation, and manuscript editing; Yang H contributed to data interpretation, discussion of methodological aspects, and manuscript refinement; Chi H supervised the overall concept, provided methodological guidance, and critically revised the manuscript as corresponding author; all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hao Chi, MD, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States. chihao7511@gmail.com
Received: September 26, 2025 Revised: November 8, 2025 Accepted: November 27, 2025 Published online: January 15, 2026 Processing time: 107 Days and 20.2 Hours
Abstract
Wu et al recently applied multi-region 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize the gastric cancer microbiome, demonstrating improved taxonomic resolution and detection sensitivity over conventional single-region approaches. While the study represents a valuable methodological step forward, it remains limited by single-center design, lack of quantitative calibration, and insufficient control for contamination and inter-laboratory variability. This editorial critically appraises these methodological gaps and emphasizes that future efforts must focus on harmonized, consensus-driven workflows to ensure reproducibility and clinical reliability. The translational potential of multi-region 16S lies in moving from descriptive microbial profiling to actionable clinical integration, particularly for recurrence prediction, treatment-response monitoring, and perioperative complication risk assessment. By addressing these methodological, economic, and ethical challenges, the field can advance toward evidence-based and clinically deployable microbiome-guided precision oncology.
Core Tip: Multi-region 16S rRNA sequencing represents a promising advance in gastric cancer microbiome research, improving microbial detection and taxonomic resolution compared to traditional methods. However, its clinical utility hinges on rigorous validation, integration with metagenomics and host factors, and the inclusion of health economic analyses. Future studies should aim to transform this technology from descriptive microbial profiling into a decision-support tool for prognosis, perioperative risk management, and personalized therapeutic strategies, overcoming existing methodological and translational challenges.
