The gut microbiome and colorectal cancer

SUMMARY

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern that is growing in prevalence, especially in younger populations. The gut microbiome is an increasingly recognized factor in the development and progression of numerous diseases, including CRC. This review explores the current research on the causal relationship between the microbiome and CRC, including the strengths and limitations of the current models for studying this complex interaction. We then delve into key microbial metabolites and their effects on host signaling pathways in the context of CRC and highlight specific bacterial species with direct links to CRC development and progression. Existing microbiota-targeted therapies such as pre- and pro-biotics and fecal microbiota transplantation are described, as well as innovative microbiome-focused strategies that are currently in development, like quorum quenching. Finally, we address the major challenges in the field, such as conflicting research findings and the need for a systems-level, multi-omic approach to describe the intertwined and bidirectional host-microbe interactions.