The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer Development and Therapy Response

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota can alter CRC susceptibility and progression by modulating mechanisms such as inflammation and DNA damage, and by producing metabolites involved in tumor progression or suppression. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota has been observed in patients with CRC, with a decrease in commensal bacterial species (butyrate-producing bacteria) and an enrichment of detrimental bacterial populations (pro-inflammatory opportunistic pathogens). CRC is characterized by altered production of bacterial metabolites directly involved in cancer metabolism including short-chain fatty acids and polyamines. Emerging evidence suggests that diet has an important impact on the risk of CRC development. The intake of high-fiber diets and the supplementation of diet with polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and probiotics, which are known to regulate gut microbiota, could be not only a potential mechanism for the reduction of CRC risk in a primary prevention setting, but may also be important to enhance the response to cancer therapy when used as adjuvant to conventional treatment for CRC. Therefore, a personalized modulation of the pattern of gut microbiome by diet may be a promising approach to prevent the development and progression of CRC and to improve the efficacy of antitumoral therapy.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Inflammation and Gut Permeability in Patients with Obesity and Colorectal Cancer

“…Indeed, a causal relationship between chronic inflammation and CRC carcinogenesis has been already well-established [ 14 ]. On the other hand, several studies have shown that gut microbiota is an essential factor in driving inflammation in the colon, and this inflammatory environment is related to CRC development [ 15 ]. Moreover, obesity-induced alterations in intestinal barrier permeability may have an additional influence on CRC development.…”

A Holistic View of Berberine Inhibiting Intestinal Carcinogenesis in Conventional Mice Based on Microbiome-Metabolomics Analysis

“…It is well known that CRC is a multifactorial disorder involving both genetics (13,14) and external environment (such as diet, smoking, and lifestyle) (14)(15)(16). Recently, an increasing number of studies suggested that gut microbiota played an important role in intestinal disorders, especially including CRC (17)(18)(19). With the developing of microbiome technology, the dysbiosis in CRC has been further found to involve in the decrease of some beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Eubacterium rectale (20), and increase of pathogenic bacteria, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Escherichia coli (21).…”

High Concentrations of Aspartame Induce Pro-Angiogenic Effects in Ovo and Cytotoxic Effects in HT-29 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

“…Still, based on the data presented in the literature, a direct connection between ASP's effect and detrimental effects on gut microbiota cannot be stated, and further studies are required [42]. However, a direct link was described between gut microbiome status and colorectal cancer development [46,47].…”