Role of microbiota in colorectal cancer: From pathogenesis to treatment

A balance between the gut bacteria is crucial for the development and management of cancer. An unhealthy gut microbial community leads to cancer growth by causing inflammation and DNA damage, and affecting the immune system response. Certain bacteria, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, increase the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas microbial by-products influence inflammation and the spread of cancer cells. Recognizing these processes is vital in developing approaches to prevent and treat cancer. This review aims to comprehensively examine the role of gut microbiota in CRC pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, with a focus on microbial-based interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
Recent studies have shown that microbial patterns could serve as indicators for detecting and predicting the stages of CRC without the need for invasive procedures, such as traditional screening. Specifically, Fusobacterium nucleatum levels have been found to increase in cancer cases, suggesting a direct connection between microbial presence and disease advancement. Treatments that focus on adjusting the gut microbiota through methods such as probiotics and FMT have the potential to improve treatment outcomes and minimize adverse reactions. Studies have shown that FMT can enhance the results of chemotherapy in cancer treatment programs for patients with colon cancer by incorporating microbiota-based strategies into the treatment protocols.
Despite these possibilities, in this field of study and research on microbiota composition and environmental factors, there are still some hurdles owing to variations among individuals and diverse surroundings that require attention. Standardizing the investigative methods used to study microbiota is essential to achieve results that can be effectively replicated and applied in clinical settings. Moving forward, it would be beneficial for researchers to concentrate on conducting extensive validation studies and creating customized treatments based on microbiota analysis to seamlessly incorporate this aspect into regular CRC care routines.
In conclusion, the study of gut bacteria is promising in the field of cancer research and therapy. Ongoing collaboration and research are crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of microbiota-focused treatments to enhance cancer prevention, detection, and treatment outcomes. This study offers an examination of the existing knowledge and future pathways for utilizing gut bacteria to manage cancer.