Deciphering the Role of Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer

In the realm of human health and disease, the intestinal microbiota, a vast collection of microorganisms within our gut, plays a crucial yet often overlooked role.

Dubbed the "forgotten organ," this complex microbial ecosystem is intimately linked to colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common types of cancer.

Emerging research underscores the relationship between dysbiosis, an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, and the development of CRC.

The roles of various intestinal microorganisms in initiating and facilitating the CRC process are gaining clarity.

Hypothesis models have been proposed to illustrate the complex relationship between the intestinal microbiota and CRC, offering new insights into this critical health issue.

Recent studies have identified specific microorganisms like Streptococcus bovis, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius as potential CRC pathogens.

These findings highlight the intricate connections between our gut flora and colorectal cancer development.

Understanding the link between intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer is crucial for developing new preventive and therapeutic measures, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome for overall wellness and disease prevention.

References

Cheng, Y., Ling, Z., & Li, L. (2020). The Intestinal Microbiota and Colorectal Cancer. Frontiers in immunology, 11, 615056. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.615056