Relationship between the gut microbiome and the development of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers in the world. With the influence of westernized lifestyle, the morbidity and mortality of CRC are on the rise in China. Gut microbiome comprises a large community of microorganisms in the intestinal tract, mainly bacteria and interacts with host to maintain human health. Change of many external and internal factors could reshape the structure of gut microbiome, which leads to the occurrence of CRC. More and more studies have shown that gut microbiome is closely related to the development of CRC. Among them, epidemiological sequencing data comprehensively revealed the characteristics of gut microbiome in CRC patients and potential of gut microbiome as a diagnostic marker for CRC, while animal experiments identified the carcinogenic mechanisms of various gut microbiome including Fusobacterium nucleatum. In this paper, we reviewed the relationship between gut microbiome and the occurrence and progress of CRC by combining the latest research results home and abroad, so as to provide ideas for further research on CRC and promote the clinical application of gut microbiome in prevention and treatment.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• gut microbiome
• biomarker
• virulence factor
• inflammation