Gut Microbiota—Adversary or Ally? Its Role and Significance in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis, Progression, and Treatment

Abstract

In 2022, colorectal cancer (CRC) was the third most prevalent malignancy worldwide. The therapeutic approach for CRC typically involves a multimodal regimen. The human gut microbiota comprises over 35,000 bacterial species. The composition of the gut microbiota is influenced by dietary intake, which plays a crucial role in food absorption, nutrient extraction, and the development of low-grade inflammation. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota is a key driver of inflammation and is strongly associated with CRC development. While the gut microbiome influences CRC initiation and progression, emerging evidence suggests a role for the gut microbiome in modulating the efficacy and toxicity of cancer treatments. Therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiome, such as probiotics, hold promise as effective interventions in the modern therapeutical approach to CRC. For example, Microbiota Implementation to Reduce Anastomotic Colorectal Leaks (MIRACLe) implementation has resulted in improvements in clinical outcomes, including reduced incidence of anastomotic leakage (AL), surgical site infections (SSIs), reoperation, as well as shorter recovery times and hospital stays compared with the control group. Therefore, this review aims to describe the current state of knowledge regarding the involvement of the gut microbiota in CRC pathogenesis and its potential therapeutic implications to treat CRC.