Open AccessThe gut microbiome and potential implications for early-onset colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Reetu Mukherji,
Benjamin A. Weinberg
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
colorectal cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1758-1958
pISSN - 1758-194X
DOI - 10.2217/crc-2020-0007
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , microbiome , fusobacterium nucleatum , medicine , carcinogenesis , incidence (geometry) , mouse model of colorectal and intestinal cancer , cancer , immune system , gut microbiome , oncology , immunology , physiology , gut flora , bioinformatics , biology , physics , periodontitis , porphyromonas gingivalis , optics
Recently, there has been an unexpected trend toward increased incidence of colorectal cancer in younger individuals, particularly distal colon and rectal cancer in those under age 50. There is evidence to suggest that the human gut microbiome may play a role in carcinogenesis. The microbiome is dynamic and varies with age, geography, ethnicity and diet. Certain bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum have been implicated in the development of colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers. Recent data suggest that bacteria can alter the inflammatory and immune environment, influencing carcinogenesis, lack of treatment response and prognosis. Studies to date focus on older patients. Because the microbiome varies with age, it could be a potential explanation for the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer.