Implication of Obesity and Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in the Etiology of Colorectal Cancer

Burden of cancer attributable to high body mass index: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND

High body mass index (BMI) is a well-established cancer risk factor. Reliable, updated data are essential for guiding public health policies and designing effective interventions to reduce the cancer burden associated with high BMI.

METHODS

Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 on cancer burden attributable to high BMI were analysed globally, stratified by sex, age, geographic region, cancer type, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Temporal trends in age-standardized rates from 1990 to 2021 were evaluated using estimated annual percentage changes.

RESULTS

In 2021, cancer attributable to high BMI resulted in 356.74 thousand deaths (95% uncertainty interval: 146.12-581.01) and 8.89 million (3.75-14.38) Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), with females bearing the largest burden. From 1990 to 2021, age-standardized rates of high BMI-related cancer deaths increased by 0.35% annually, while DALYs rose by 0.42% annually. In 2021, the burden of cancer deaths and DALYs attributable to high BMI varied considerably across geographical regions. Low-middle SDI regions experienced the largest increases in death and DALY rates attributable to high BMI, while these rates declined in high SDI regions. Colon and rectum cancers accounted for the greatest number of deaths and DALYs, while pancreatic cancer showed the most rapid growth in attributable burden.

CONCLUSIONS

High BMI is a major contributor to the global cancer burden, with significant variation by sex, cancer type, region, and SDI level. Targeted public health strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the growing impact of overweight and obesity on cancer.

Obesity and mitochondrial uncoupling - an opportunity for the carbon monoxide-based pharmacology of metabolic diseases

Obesity, a chronic and progressive disease with a complex etiology, remains a significant global health challenge. Despite advancements in lifestyle interventions, pharmacological therapies, and bariatric surgery, substantial barriers to effective and sustained obesity management persist. Resistance to weight loss and gradual weight regain are commonly reported, limiting the long-term success of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies. A possible contributor is metabolic adaptation, a phenomenon characterized by reduced metabolic rate and energy expenditure following weight loss, which hinders therapeutic efficacy. To address these challenges, increasing attention has been directed toward strategies that counteract maladaptive mechanisms by modulating metabolic rate and enhancing energy expenditure. One promising approach involves mitochondrial uncoupling, where electron transport and oxygen consumption are disconnected from ATP synthesis, promoting energy dissipation. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of various chemical compounds with uncoupling activity as anti-obesity agents. Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO) has emerged as a significant gaseous signaling molecule in human physiology, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and cytoprotective properties. Advances in CO-based pharmacology have led to the development of controlled-release CO donors, enabling precise therapeutic application. Experimental studies suggest that CO modulates mitochondrial bioenergetics, induces mild mitochondrial uncoupling, and regulates mitochondrial biogenesis. By integrating these findings, this review uniquely connects scientific threads, offering a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge while proposing innovative directions in mitochondrial, metabolic and CO-based pharmacological research. It highlights the potential of CO-based pharmacology to regulate metabolic rate, support weight loss, and address obesity-related dysfunctions, thus suggesting novel pathways for advancing obesity treatment.

Diet-microbiome interactions in cancer

Diet impacts cancer in diverse manners. Multiple nutritional effects on tumors are mediated by dietary modulation of commensals, residing in mucosal surfaces and possibly also within the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically understanding such diet-microbiome-host interactions may enable to develop precision nutritional interventions impacting cancer development, dissemination, and treatment responses. However, data-driven nutritional strategies integrating diet-microbiome interactions are infrequently incorporated into cancer prevention and treatment schemes. Herein, we discuss how dietary composition affects cancer-related processes through alterations exerted by specific nutrients and complex foods on the microbiome. We highlight how dietary timing, including time-restricted feeding, impacts microbial function in modulating cancer and its therapy. We review existing and experimental nutritional approaches aimed at enhancing microbiome-mediated cancer treatment responsiveness while minimizing adverse effects, and address challenges and prospects in integrating diet-microbiome interactions into precision oncology. Collectively, mechanistically understanding diet-microbiome-host interactomes may enable to achieve a personalized and microbiome-informed optimization of nutritional cancer interventions.

Vitamin D: What role in obesity-related cancer?

Obesity is an important risk factor for incidence and death for many types of cancer. Vitamin D reduces risk of incidence and death for many types of cancer. This review outlines the mechanisms by which obesity increases risk of cancer, how vitamin D reduces risk of cancer, and the extent to which vitamin D counters the effects of obesity in cancer. Vitamin D is a partial ally against some of obesity's pro-carcinogenic effects, notably by reducing inflammation and regulating sex hormone receptors, leptin resistance, cellular energy metabolism, the microbiome, and hypoxia. However, it can act stronger in against the renin-angiotensin system, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in cancer. Additionally, excess fat tissue sequesters vitamin D and, along with its dilution in increased body volume, further reduces its bioavailability and serum concentration, limiting its protective effects against cancer. In conclusion, while vitamin D cannot reverse obesity, it plays a significant role in mitigating its pro-carcinogenic effects by targeting several mechanisms.

Oxidative Stress, Gut Microbiota, and Extracellular Vesicles: Interconnected Pathways and Therapeutic Potentials

Oxidative stress (OS) and gut microbiota are crucial factors influencing human health, each playing a significant role in the development and progression of chronic diseases. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between these two factors, focusing on how an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants leads to OS, disrupting cellular homeostasis and contributing to a range of conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, and cancer. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, is essential for regulating immune responses, metabolic pathways, and overall health. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota composition, is closely associated with chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and various diseases. This review highlights how the gut microbiota influences and is influenced by OS, complicating the pathophysiology of many conditions. Furthermore, emerging evidence has identified extracellular vesicles (EVs) as critical facilitators of cellular crosstalk between the OS and gut microbiota. EVs also play a crucial role in signaling between the gut microbiota and host tissues, modulating immune responses, inflammation, and metabolic processes. The signaling function of EVs holds promise for the development of targeted therapies aimed at restoring microbial balance and mitigating OS. Personalized therapeutic approaches, including probiotics, antioxidants, and fecal microbiota transplantation-based strategies, can be used to address OS-related diseases and improve health outcomes. Nonetheless, further research is needed to study the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions and the potential of innovative interventions to offer novel strategies for managing OS-related diseases and enhancing overall human health.

Intermittent Fasting: Implications for Obesity-Related Colorectal Tumorigenesis

Obesity is associated with metabolic and immune perturbations (ie, insulin resistance, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress), circadian rhythm dysregulation, and gut microbial changes that can promote colorectal tumorigenesis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most incident cancer in the United States. This narrative review examines the effects of intermittend fasting on factors influencing colon tumorigenesis, such as body weight, metabolic and immune markers, circadian rythm, and the gut microbiota in humans. Findings suggest that intermittent fasting regimens can lead to weight loss and shifts in metabolic markers, which could be preventive for CRC but effects on the gut microbiota composition and functions still remains elusive.

The Gut Microbiota and Colorectal Cancer: Understanding the Link and Exploring Therapeutic Interventions

CRC remains a significant public health challenge due to its high prevalence and mortality rates. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of the gut microbiota in both the pathogenesis of CRC and the efficacy of treatment strategies, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Dysbiosis, characterized by imbalances in microbial communities, has been implicated in CRC progression and therapeutic outcomes. This review examines the intricate relationship between gut microbiota composition and CRC, emphasizing the potential for microbial profiles to serve as biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. Various interventions, such as prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary modifications, aim to restore microbiota balance and shift dysbiosis toward eubiosis, thereby improving health outcomes. Additionally, the integration of microbial profiling into clinical practice could enhance diagnostic capabilities and personalize treatment strategies, advancing the field of oncology. The study of intratumoral microbiota offers new diagnostic and prognostic tools that, combined with artificial intelligence algorithms, could predict treatment responses and assess the risk of adverse effects. Given the growing understanding of the gut microbiome-cancer axis, developing microbiota-oriented strategies for CRC prevention and treatment holds promise for improving patient care and clinical outcomes.

Prognostic Differences Between Early-Onset and Late-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Background and Objectives: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) has become a significant public health concern due to its alarming rise in incidence and the poor prognosis associated with this disease. The aim of our study was to identify epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical characteristics that could explain the more aggressive evolution of EO-CRC compared to late-onset colorectal cancer (LO-CRC). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study over a two-year period, including 204 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). The patients were divided into two subgroups: those with EO-CRC and those with LO-CRC. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 29.0. Results: EO-CRC was identified in 11.3% of the patients included in the study. Compared to LO-CRC patients, EO-CRC patients exhibited a tendency for more distal tumor localization and a stenotic endoscopic appearance (43.5% vs. 29.3%). Regarding histopathological diagnosis, EO-CRC patients demonstrated a higher proportion of the mucinous histologic subtype (34.8% vs. 14.4%) and a significantly greater percentage of poorly differentiated tumors (39.1% vs. 14.5%; p = 0.010). Immunohistochemical results, available for a limited number of patients, revealed higher CDX2 positivity in LO-CRC patients (p = 0.012) and higher HER2 positivity in EO-CRC patients (p = 0.002). Smoking (p = 0.006) and hypertension (p = 0.002) were more prevalent in EO-CRC patients than in LO-CRC patients. Conclusions: Patients with EO-CRC exhibit distinct histopathological and molecular characteristics compared to those with LO-CRC, which may contribute to their poorer prognoses. The higher prevalence of the mucinous histological subtype, poor tumor differentiation, increased HER2 expression, and reduced CDX2 expression suggest potential molecular pathways driving the aggressive nature of EO-CRC. These findings highlight the need for tailored screening strategies and personalized therapeutic approaches in younger CRC patients. Future studies should further investigate the underlying mechanisms and potential biomarkers that could guide early diagnoses and targeted treatments.

Global prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides fragilis in patients with colorectal cancer: an overview of case reports/case series and meta-analysis of prevalence studies

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest carcinoma across the globe and has been known as a multi-factor induced-disease. Emerging research have demonstrated that bacterial colonization may contribute to the initiation and promotion of the CRC. The presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) in the gut is associated with the development of CRC. In this study, the prevalence of F. nucleatum and B. fragilis among CRC patients has been assessed worldwide through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The extensive search was performed using "Fusobacterium nucleatum", "Bacteroides fragilis", "Colorectal cancer" and all relevant keywords. Then, a systematic paper screening was done following a comprehensive search in Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed databases while the time range was limited between the years 2000 and 2024. Afterwards, statistical analysis was performed utilizing the comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software (version 2.0, Biostat, USA).

RESULTS

According to the meta-analysis of prevalence studies, the prevalence of F. nucleatum among 19 countries and B. fragilis among 10 countries were indicated to be 38.9% (95% CI 33.7-44.3%) and 42.5% (95% CI 34.4-51.1%), respectively, among the CRC patients. It was then revealed that Asia had the highest prevalence of F. nucleatum while most of the B. fragilis isolates in CRC cases were reported in European countries. Moreover, the data suggested that the most common comorbidity observed among the CRC cases was diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Our results emphasized the high prevalence of F. nucleatum and B. fragilis in CRC patients. Based on this meta-analysis review, regulating the gut microbiota in CRC patients seemed to be a promising approach to improving the efficacy of CRC therapy.

Effect of Gut Dysbiosis on Onset of GI Cancers

Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota plays a significant role in GI cancer development by influencing immune function and disrupting metabolic functions. Dysbiosis can drive carcinogenesis through pathways like immune dysregulation and the release of carcinogenic metabolites, and altered metabolism, genetic instability, and pro-inflammatory signalling, contributing to GI cancer initiation and progression. Helicobacter pylori infection and genotoxins released from dysbiosis, lifestyle and dietary habits are other factors that contribute to GI cancer development. Emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches show promise in colorectal cancer treatment, including the multitarget faecal immunochemical test (mtFIT), standard FIT, and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) combined with PD-1 inhibitors. We used search engine databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. This review discusses the role of dysbiosis in GI cancer onset and explores strategies such as FMT, probiotics, and prebiotics to enhance the immune response and improve cancer therapy outcomes.

Dysbiosis-epigenetics-immune system interaction and ageing health problems

Background. The growing interest in microbiota-epigenetics-immune system research stems from the understanding that microbiota, a group of micro-organisms colonized in the human body, can influence the gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms and interaction with the immune system. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene activity that are not caused by the alteration in the DNA sequence itself.Discussion. The clinical significance of this research lies in the potential to develop new therapies for diseases linked to the imbalance of these microbial species (dysbiosis), such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The intricate interaction between microbiota and epigenetics involves the production of metabolites and signalling molecules that can impact our health by influencing immune responses, metabolism and inflammation. Understanding these interactions could lead to novel therapeutic strategies targeting microbiota-epigenetic pathways to improve health outcomes.Conclusion. In this context, we aim to review and emphasize the current knowledge and key concepts that link the microbiota to epigenetics and immune system function, exploring their relevance to the development and maintenance of homeostasis and susceptibility to different diseases later in life. We aim to elucidate key concepts concerning the interactions and potential effects among the human gut microbiota, epigenetics, the immune system and ageing diseases linked to dysbiosis.

The Relationship between Surrogate Markers of Insulin Resistance and Occurrence of Colorectal Adenoma in Individuals under 50 Years Old: A Single-Center Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Young-onset colorectal adenomas (YOAs) are precursors to early-onset colorectal cancer, a growing concern among individuals under 50 years old. This study investigated the association between surrogate markers of insulin resistance (IR) and YOAs occurrence. (2) Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 4467 individuals aged 20 to 49 years who underwent their first screening colonoscopy at Dong-A University Hospital from 2018 to 2022. IR was assessed using the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C), and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR). (3) Results: Individuals with YOAs exhibited significantly higher median TyG index (8.51 ± 0.71 vs. 8.32 ± 0.61, p < 0.001), TG/HDL-C ratio (2.78 ± 3.05 vs. 2.12 ± 1.85, p < 0.001), and METS-IR (35.72 ± 8.37 vs. 33.44 ± 9.11, p < 0.001) values than controls. The adjusted odds ratios for YOAs were 1.064 (95% CI: 1.22-2.23, p = 0.021) for the TyG index, 1.067 (95% CI: 1.031-1.105, p < 0.001) for the TG/HDL-C ratio, and 1.011 (95% CI: 1.002-1.021, p = 0.023) for METS-IR values, indicating a strong association between higher IR marker values and the presence of YOAs. (4) Conclusions: Elevated IR marker values are strongly associated with the occurrence of YOAs in individuals under 50 years old.

Deciphering the Gut–Liver Axis: A Comprehensive Scientific Review of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant global health issue. The condition is closely linked to metabolic dysfunctions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The gut–liver axis, a bidirectional communication pathway between the liver and the gut, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This review delves into the mechanisms underlying the gut–liver axis, exploring the influence of gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and inflammatory pathways. This review also explores the potential therapeutic strategies centered on modulating gut microbiota such as fecal microbiota transplantation; phage therapy; and the use of specific probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in managing NAFLD. By understanding these interactions, we can better comprehend the development and advancement of NAFLD and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Role of Gut Microbiota in Predisposition to Colon Cancer: A Narrative Review

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Dietary habits, inflammation, hereditary characteristics, and gut microbiota are some of its causes. The gut microbiota, a diverse population of bacteria living in the digestive system, has an impact on a variety of parameters, including inflammation, DNA damage, and immune response. The gut microbiome has a significant role in colon cancer susceptibility. Many studies have highlighted dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota's makeup, as a major factor in colon cancer susceptibility. Dysbiosis has the potential to produce toxic metabolites and pro-inflammatory substances, which can hasten the growth of tumours. The ability of the gut microbiota to affect the host's immune system can also influence whether cancer develops or not. By better comprehending these complex interactions between colon cancer predisposition and gut flora, new preventive and therapeutic techniques might be developed. Targeting the gut microbiome with dietary modifications, probiotics, or faecal microbiota transplantation may offer cutting-edge approaches to reducing the risk of colon cancer and improving patient outcomes. The complex connection between the makeup of the gut microbiota and the emergence of colorectal cancer is explored in this narrative review.

Gut Microbiome and colorectal cancer: discovery of bacterial changes with metagenomics application in Turkısh population

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer in the world and colonic carcinogenesis is a multifactorial disease that involves environmental and genetic factors. Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the regulation of intestinal homeostasis. Increasing evidence shows that the gut microbiome plays a role in CRC development and may be a biomarker for early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the clinical prognostic significance of gut microbiota in CRC patients in the Turkish population by metagenomic analysis and to determine the microbial composition in tumor tissue biopsy samples.

METHODS

Tissue biopsies were taken from the participants with sterile forceps during colonoscopy and stored at -80 °C. Then, DNA isolation was performed from the tissue samples and the V3-V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Quality control of the obtained sequence data was performed. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were classified according to the Greengenes database. Alpha diversity (Shannon index) and beta diversity (Bray-Curtis distance) analyses were performed. The most common bacterial species in CRC patients and healthy controls were determined and whether there were statistically significant differences between the groups was tested.

RESULTS

A total of 40 individuals, 13 CRC patients and 20 healthy control individuals were included in our metagenomic study. The mean age of the patients was 64.83 and BMI was 25.85. In CRC patients, the level of Bacteroidetes at the phylum taxonomy was significantly increased (p = 0.04), the level of Clostridia at the class taxonomy was increased (p = 0.23), and the level of Enterococcus at the genus taxonomy was significantly increased (p = 0.01). When CRC patients were compared with the control group, significant increases were detected in the species of Gemmiger formicilis (p = 0.15), Prevotella copri (p = 0.02) and Ruminococcus bromii (p = 0.001) at the species taxonomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Metagenomic analysis of intestinal microbiota composition in CRC patients provides important data for determining the treatment options for these patients. The results of this study suggest that it may be beneficial in terms of early diagnosis, poor prognosis and survival rates in CRC patients. In addition, this metagenomic study is the first study on the colon microbiome associated with CRC mucosa in the Turkish population.

Gut microbiota in inflammation and colorectal cancer: A potential Toolbox for Clinicians

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide public health issue specifically in patients with chronic diseases associated with a western lifestyle, such as metabolic diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Interestingly, both metabolic disorders and IBD are characterized by a chronic state of inflammation that contributes to the carcinogenesis with specific alteration of the gut microbiota composition and function. Evidence now shows that this altered gut microbiota contributes fueling a chronic pro-inflammatory state in a vicious circle that can favor CRC development. In this review article, we present the current knowledge concerning the involvement of the gut microbiota as a procarcinogenic factor shared by IBD and cardiometabolic diseases, and provide clues as to how it may be used to prevent or diagnose CRC.

The Role of Adipocytes Recruited as Part of Tumor Microenvironment in Promoting Colorectal Cancer Metastases

Adipose tissue dysfunction, which is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of obesity. Obesity-related inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling promote colorectal cancer metastasis (CRCM) by shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). When CRC occurs, the metabolic symbiosis of tumor cells recruits adjacent adipocytes into the TME to supply energy. Meanwhile, abundant immune cells, from adipose tissue and blood, are recruited into the TME, which is stimulated by pro-inflammatory factors and triggers a chronic local pro-inflammatory TME. Dysregulated ECM proteins and cell surface adhesion molecules enhance ECM remodeling and further increase contractibility between tumor and stromal cells, which promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT increases tumor migration and invasion into surrounding tissues or vessels and accelerates CRCM. Colorectal symbiotic microbiota also plays an important role in the promotion of CRCM. In this review, we provide adipose tissue and its contributions to CRC, with a special emphasis on the role of adipocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, ECM, and symbiotic gut microbiota in the progression of CRC and their contributions to the CRC microenvironment. We highlight the interactions between adipocytes and tumor cells, and potential therapeutic approaches to target these interactions.

Natural Compounds for Preventing Age-Related Diseases and Cancers

Aging is a multifaceted process influenced by hereditary factors, lifestyle, and environmental elements. As time progresses, the human body experiences degenerative changes in major functions. The external and internal signs of aging manifest in various ways, including skin dryness, wrinkles, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Additionally, cancer, like aging, is a complex disease that arises from the accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Circadian clock dysregulation has recently been identified as an important risk factor for aging and cancer development. Natural compounds and herbal medicines have gained significant attention for their potential in preventing age-related diseases and inhibiting cancer progression. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects as well as circadian clock regulation. This review explores age-related diseases, cancers, and the potential of specific natural compounds in targeting the key features of these conditions.

The Complex Connection between Obesity and Cancer: Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Implications

Obesity has emerged as an important global health challenge, significantly influencing the incidence and progression of various cancers. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex relationship between obesity and oncogenesis, focusing particularly on the role of dysregulated signaling pathways as central mediators of this association. We delve into the contributions of obesity-induced alterations in key signaling cascades, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin to carcinogenesis. These alterations facilitate unchecked cellular proliferation, chronic inflammation and apoptosis resistance. Epidemiological evidence links obesity with increased cancer susceptibility and adverse prognostic outcomes, with pronounced risks for specific cancers such as breast, colorectal, endometrial and hepatic malignancies. This review synthesizes data from both animal and clinical studies to underscore the pivotal role of disrupted signaling pathways in shaping innovative therapeutic strategies. We highlight the critical importance of lifestyle modifications in obesity management and cancer risk mitigation, stressing the benefits of dietary changes, physical activity, and behavioral interventions. Moreover, we examine targeted pharmacological strategies addressing aberrant pathways in obesity-related tumors and discuss the integration of cutting-edge treatments, including immunotherapy and precision medicine, into clinical practice.

Role of circular RNAs and gut microbiome in gastrointestinal cancers and therapeutic targets

Gastrointestinal cancers are a huge worldwide health concern, which includes a wide variety of digestive tract cancers. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a kind of non-coding RNA (ncRNAs), are a family of single-stranded, covalently closed RNAs that have become recognized as crucial gene expression regulators, having an impact on several cellular functions in cancer biology. The gut microbiome, which consists of several different bacteria, actively contributes to the regulation of host immunity, inflammation, and metabolism. CircRNAs and the gut microbiome interact significantly to greatly affect the growth of GI cancer. Several studies focus on the complex functions of circRNAs and the gut microbiota in GI cancers, including esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular cancer, and pancreatic cancer. It also emphasizes how changed circRNA expression profiles and gut microbiota affect pathways connected to malignancy as well as how circRNAs affect hallmarks of gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, circRNAs and gut microbiota have been recommended as biological markers for therapeutic targets as well as diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Targeting circRNAs and the gut microbiota for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers is also being continued to study. Despite significant initiatives, the connection between circRNAs and the gut microbiota and the emergence of gastrointestinal cancers remains poorly understood. In this study, we will go over the most recent studies to emphasize the key roles of circRNAs and gut microbiota in gastrointestinal cancer progression and therapeutic options. In order to create effective therapies and plan for the future gastrointestinal therapy, it is important to comprehend the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs and the gut microbiota.

The Impact of the Gut Microbiome, Environment, and Diet in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Development

Traditionally considered a disease common in the older population, colorectal cancer is increasing in incidence among younger demographics. Evidence suggests that populational- and generational-level shifts in the composition of the human gut microbiome may be tied to the recent trends in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. This review provides an overview of current research and putative mechanisms behind the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in the younger population, with insight into future interventions that may prevent or reverse the rate of early-onset colorectal carcinoma.

Obesity under the moonlight of c-MYC

The moonlighting protein c-Myc is a master regulator of multiple biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and metabolism. It is constitutively and aberrantly expressed in more than 70% of human cancers. Overwhelming evidence suggests that c-Myc dysregulation is involved in several inflammatory, autoimmune, metabolic and other non-cancerous diseases. In this review, we addressed the role of c-Myc in obesity. Obesity is a systemic disease, accompanied by multi-organ dysfunction apart from white adipose tissue (WAT), such as the liver, the pancreas, and the intestine. c-Myc plays a big diversity of functions regulating cellular proliferation, the maturation of progenitor cells, fatty acids (FAs) metabolism, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Moreover, c-Myc drives the expression of a wide range of metabolic genes, modulates the inflammatory response, induces insulin resistance (IR), and contributes to the regulation of intestinal dysbiosis. Altogether, c-Myc is an interesting diagnostic tool and/or therapeutic target in order to mitigate obesity and its consequences.

The Lung Microbiome in COPD and Lung Cancer: Exploring the Potential of Metal-Based Drugs

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer 17 are two of the most prevalent and debilitating respiratory diseases worldwide, both associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. As major global health concerns, they impose a substantial burden on patients, healthcare systems, and society at large. Despite their distinct aetiologies, lung cancer and COPD share common risk factors, clinical features, and pathological pathways, which have spurred increasing research interest in their co-occurrence. One area of particular interest is the role of the lung microbiome in the development and progression of these diseases, including the transition from COPD to lung cancer. Exploring novel therapeutic strategies, such as metal-based drugs, offers a potential avenue for targeting the microbiome in these diseases to improve patient outcomes. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the lung microbiome, with a particular emphasis on COPD and lung cancer, and to discuss the potential of metal-based drugs as a therapeutic strategy for these conditions, specifically concerning targeting the microbiome.

Tumorigenesis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Microbiota-Environment Interconnections

Colo-rectal cancer (CRC) is undoubtedly one of the most severe complications of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). While sporadic CRC develops from a typical adenoma-carcinoma sequence, IBD-related CRC follows different and less understood pathways and its pathophysiological mechanisms were not completely elucidated. In contrast to chronic inflammation, which is nowadays a well-recognised drive towards neoplastic transformation in IBD, only recently was gut microbiota demonstrated to interfere with both inflammation processes and immune-mediated anticancer surveillance. Moreover, the role of microbiota appears particularly complex and intriguing when also considering its multifaceted interactions with multiple environmental stimuli, notably chronic pathologies such as diabetes and obesity, lifestyle (diet, smoking) and vitamin intake. In this review, we presented a comprehensive overview on current evidence of the influence of gut microbiota on IBD-related CRC, in particular its mutual interconnections with the environment.

VAX014, an Oncolytic Therapy, Reduces Adenomas and Modifies Colon Microenvironment in Mouse Model of CRC

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common form of cancer and, despite its reduced mortality, results in over 50,000 deaths annually, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. VAX014 is a novel clinical-stage, oncolytic bacterial minicell-based therapy shown to elicit protective antitumor immune responses in cancer, but it has not been fully evaluated in CRC. Here, VAX014 was demonstrated to induce oncolysis in CRC cell lines in vitro and was evaluated in vivo, both as a prophylactic (before spontaneous development of adenomatous polyps) and as a neoadjuvant treatment using the Fabp-CreXApc^fl468 preclinical animal model of colon cancer. As a prophylactic, VAX014 significantly reduced the size and number of adenomas without inducing long term changes in the gene expression of inflammatory, T helper 1 antitumor, and immunosuppression markers. In the presence of adenomas, a neoadjuvant VAX014 treatment reduced the number of tumors, induced the gene expression of antitumor T_H1 immune markers in adenomas, and promoted the expansion of the probiotic bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila. The neoadjuvant VAX014 treatment was associated with decreased Ki67 proliferation in vivo, suggesting that VAX014 inhibits adenoma development through both oncolytic and immunotherapeutic effects. Combined, these data support the potential of VAX014 treatment in CRC and "at risk" polyp-bearing or early adenocarcinoma populations.