Gut Microbiome Alterations in Colorectal Cancer: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Strategies, and Precision Oncology Perspectives

Cancer research · Colorectal cancer

Gut microbiome manipulation via probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and selective antibiotics is a promising strategy for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy worldwide. Recent advances in genetic sequencing have highlighted the gut microbiome’s crucial role in CRC development, with dysbiosis linked to chronic inflammation, metabolic changes, and oncogenic pathway modulation. The review discusses mechanisms such as inflammation, toxic metabolites, and genetic/epigenetic alterations driven by microbes like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Escherichia coli. It evaluates therapeutic strategies—including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation and selective antibiotics—to modulate the microbiome, potentially improving prevention, early detection and response to standard treatments. Emerging technologies like AI and multi‑omics are poised to identify microbiome‑derived biomarkers for personalized oncology, yet challenges such as individual variability and regulatory hurdles remain.

Understanding how gut microbiome alterations influence colorectal cancer pathogenesis offers novel preventive and therapeutic avenues, potentially enhancing patient outcomes through microbiome‑targeted interventions and personalized medicine.

Evidence level: Állatkísérletes. Állatmodellben vizsgálták.

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