Rectal Cancer: Background, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
The gastrointestinal microbiome influences colorectal cancer development and can modulate the efficacy of its treatments.
The etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by bacterial communities that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms derive essential nutrients from indigestible dietary or host‑derived compounds and activate molecular signalling pathways necessary for normal tissue and immune function. Associative and mechanistic studies have identified bacterial species whose presence may increase CRC risk, including notable examples such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, and pks+ E. coli. In recent years this work has expanded in scope to include aspects of host mutational status, intratumoral microbial heterogeneity, transient infection, and the cumulative influence of multiple carcinogenic bacteria after sequential or co‐colonization. In this review, we provide an updated overview of how host‑bacteria interactions influence CRC development, how this knowledge may be utilized to diagnose or prevent CRC, and how the gut microbiome influences CRC treatment efficacy.
Understanding gut microbial contributions to colorectal cancer risk and treatment response can inform prevention strategies, identify biomarkers for early detection, and guide microbiome‑based therapeutic interventions.
Evidence level: Állatkísérletes. Állatmodellben vizsgálták.
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