Frontiers in Immunology (Jun 2022)

The Emerging Roles of Human Gut Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Cancer

  • Qianqian Guo,
  • Hai Qin,
  • Xueling Liu,
  • Xinxin Zhang,
  • Zelong Chen,
  • Tingting Qin,
  • Linlin Chang,
  • Wenzhou Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.915047
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

Read online

The gut microbiota is composed of a large number of microorganisms with a complex structure. It participates in the decomposition, digestion, and absorption of nutrients; promotes the development of the immune system; inhibits the colonization of pathogens; and thus modulates human health. In particular, the relationship between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal tumor progression has attracted widespread concern. It was found that the gut microbiota can influence gastrointestinal tumor progression in independent ways. Here, we focused on the distribution of gut microbiota in gastrointestinal tumors and further elaborated on the impact of gut microbiota metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids, on colorectal cancer progression. Additionally, the effects of gut microbiota on gastrointestinal tumor therapy are outlined. Finally, we put forward the possible problems in gut microbiota and the gastrointestinal oncology field and the efforts we need to make.

Keywords