Modulations of fecal microbiota as a risk factor and prognostic quantification for colorectal cancer: a literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24859/SaberDigital.2025v18n1.1644Keywords:
Colorectal Neoplasms, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Diet, Biomarkers, TumorAbstract
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor with a high incidence in Brazil, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and public health costs. Cases have been increasing, particularly among young individuals, due to lifestyle factors, especially dietary habits that alter the host's gut microbiota, acting as a carcinogenic factor. Objective: To correlate the microbiota with the incidence of CRC, highlighting diet as both a risk and protective factor, and to explore these microbiological changes as potential tumor biomarkers for screening and prognosis methods. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and the Virtual Health Library with the descriptors “colorectal cancer” and “fecal microbiome.” Publications from the last five years, including controlled clinical trials, observational studies, and full-text articles, were included. Review articles, paid publications, and those outside the proposed theme were excluded. A total of 22 articles were analyzed. Results and Discussion: Through the analyzed studies, it was observed that bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum create a pro-inflammatory environment and affect the carcinogenesis of intestinal cells. Diet was identified as a significant risk factor (e.g., red and processed meats) and a protective factor (e.g., fibers and vegetables), directly affecting inflammatory status. Changes in microbiota composition support its use as CRC biomarkers with potential applicability in diagnostics, treatment evaluation, and effectiveness. Conclusion: Bacteria contribute to CRC development through metaplasia driven by increased virulence associated with diet. Analyzing these bacteria can serve as an efficient tumor biomarker for diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation, and prognosis.
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