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REVIEW article
Front. Oncol.
Sec. Gastrointestinal Cancers: Colorectal Cancer
Volume 15 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1563886
This article is part of the Research Topic Uncovering Microbial Biomarkers and Interventions in Colorectal Cancer: a Transformative Journey from Pathogenesis to Therapy View all articles
The Power of Microbes: The Key Role of Gut Microbiota in the Initiation and Progression of Colorectal Cancer
Provisionally accepted
Bo Han 1
Yongfeng Zhang 1 Xue Feng 2
Jun Yang 1
Baolin Wang 1 Jiang Fang 1 Zhigang Wang 1 Jun Zhu 1 Ge Niu 1
Youxiang Guo 1*- 1 Department of General Surgery, 63650 Military Hospital, Urumqi, China
- 2 Department of Cardiology, 63650 Military Hospital, Urumqi, China
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked as the third most prevalent malignancy and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, significantly affecting the health and longevity of middle-aged individuals and the elderly. The primary risk factors for CRC are mainly due to unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle choices, and they have been shown to profoundly influence the composition of the gut microbiota. Given that dietary patterns are critical determinants of gut microbial diversity, a compelling association exists between gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of CRC. Recent research has increasingly focused on the intricate interplay between gut microbiota and CRC, exploring its role in disease initiation, progression, and the modulation of host immune responses. Investigations have demonstrated that certain specific microbial communities can promote inflammation, disrupt metabolic pathways, and produce carcinogenic compounds, thereby contributing to the development of CRC. Conversely, a diverse and balanced gut microbiome may confer protective effects against cancer through mechanisms such as the production of short-chain fatty acids and the enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of the gut microbial community and its complex relationship with CRC. It highlights potential mechanisms through which gut microbiota may influence CRC pathogenesis, including chronic inflammation, toxins, metabolites, epigenetic dysregulation, and immune regulatory dysfunction. Additionally, this review summarizes innovative strategies for CRC prevention and treatment, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of probiotics and natural plant extracts. By elucidating these connections, this work aims to enhance the understanding of the gut microbiome's role in CRC.
Keywords: Gut Microbiota, colorectal cancer, chronic inflammation, Metabolites, immune dysfunction, Probiotics, NATURAL PLANT EXTRACTS
Received: 21 Jan 2025; Accepted: 24 Mar 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Han, Zhang, Feng, Yang, Wang, Fang, Wang, Zhu, Niu and Guo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Youxiang Guo, Department of General Surgery, 63650 Military Hospital, Urumqi, China
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.