The Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer

Sorbarikor Piawah; Evan J Walker; Erin L Van Blarigan; Chloe E Atreya

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2022.03.001

The Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2022 Jun;36(3):491-506. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.03.001. Epub 2022 May 13.

Authors

Sorbarikor Piawah¹, Evan J Walker², Erin L Van Blarigan³, Chloe E Atreya⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California San Francisco, 1825 4th Street, PCMB 4 (L4141), Box 1705, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1450 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA. Electronic address: sorbarikor.piawah@ucsf.edu.
² Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California San Francisco, 1825 4th Street, PCMB 4 (L4141), Box 1705, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1450 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
³ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 1550 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California San Francisco, 1825 4th Street, PCMB 4 (L4141), Box 1705, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1450 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.

PMID: 35577712
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.03.001

Abstract

The gut microbiome is important in human health and disease. Recent studies have begun to elucidate its specific role in colorectal cancer. The gut microbiome seems to play an integral role in colorectal cancer initiation and progression, and oncologic drug metabolism and toxicity. This review examines the associations between the gut microbiome and colorectal cancer initiation, progression, and oncologic drug metabolism, highlighting proposed mechanisms and landmark publications in this field. It also discusses potential methods of modulating the gut microbiome, underscoring the gaps in current understanding, and ends with a clinically relevant overview of microbiome research considerations and study design.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer initiation; Diet; Drug metabolism; Fecal microbiota transplant; Microbiome; Probiotics.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Colorectal Neoplasms* / therapy
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Microbiota*