Gut microbiome development along the colorectal adenoma–carcinoma sequence

TLDR

Colorectal cancer commonly progresses from benign adenomas, and the gut microbiota is thought to play a direct role in this carcinogenesis, yet the specific microbes and functions involved have not been comprehensively characterized. The study aims to identify microbial genes, strains, and functions associated with advanced adenoma and carcinoma by performing a metagenome‑wide association study on stool samples. The authors conducted a metagenome‑wide association study on stool samples from advanced adenoma, carcinoma patients, and healthy controls to detect enriched microbial features. The analysis shows that high red‑meat intake relative to fruits and vegetables is linked to the expansion of potentially harmful bacteria, suggesting that fecal microbiome profiling could aid early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal adenoma or carcinoma.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer, a commonly diagnosed cancer in the elderly, often develops slowly from benign polyps called adenoma. The gut microbiota is believed to be directly involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. The identity and functional capacity of the adenoma- or carcinoma-related gut microbe(s), however, have not been surveyed in a comprehensive manner. Here we perform a metagenome-wide association study (MGWAS) on stools from advanced adenoma and carcinoma patients and from healthy subjects, revealing microbial genes, strains and functions enriched in each group. An analysis of potential risk factors indicates that high intake of red meat relative to fruits and vegetables appears to associate with outgrowth of bacteria that might contribute to a more hostile gut environment. These findings suggest that faecal microbiome-based strategies may be useful for early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal adenoma or carcinoma.