Colorectal cancer, previously regarded as primarily afflicting the elderly, has witnessed a concerning surge in occurrence among younger adults, presenting a perplexing scenario for medical practitioners and researchers alike. Recent inquiries suggest that alterations in the composition of gut microbiota may be implicated in this emerging trend.
A study unveiled in EBioMedicine, a publication affiliated with The Lancet, on February 5th, divulged findings indicating distinctive bacterial profiles within colorectal cancer tumors among young patients as compared to older cohorts. These revelations hold promise for the emergence of innovative diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions, as emphasized by the researchers involved.
Dr. Shimoli Barot, the lead author of the study, highlighted the importance of delineating this microbial signature associated with early-onset colorectal cancer, expressing optimism regarding the utilization of these insights to refine screening methodologies and devise targeted treatment modalities.
The research team scrutinized tumor and unaffected colorectal tissue samples obtained from 276 colorectal cancer patients who had undergone surgical intervention at the Cleveland Clinic. The cohort was stratified based on age, with patients under 50 years at diagnosis juxtaposed against those aged over 60, ensuring gender parity within each subgroup.
Motivated by earlier investigations suggesting the potential involvement of intestinal bacteria in colorectal cancer pathogenesis, the researchers employed DNA extraction and RNA sequencing methodologies to profile bacterial populations within the tumor specimens. Their analysis revealed substantially greater diversity and distinctiveness in microbial compositions among younger patients, evident within both tumor and adjacent tissue samples.
Of particular note were two bacterial strains, akkermansia and bacteroides, which exhibited higher prevalence among younger patients, contrasting with elevated levels of other bacterial species observed in older individuals. Akkermansia, acknowledged for its potential as an advanced probiotic due to its capacity to modulate immune and metabolic functions, is currently available over the counter. Bacteroides, gram-negative bacteria entangled in intricate health ramifications, demonstrated variable abundance across age cohorts.
Furthermore, factors such as tumor localization (rectum versus colon), body mass index (BMI), and tumor staging exerted influence on microbial compositions. Interestingly, no discernible differences in microbial profiles were discerned between young and old patients with regards to tobacco use.
Subsequent analyses unveiled correlations between specific bacterial abundances and patient outcomes. Notably, heightened levels of akkermansia were associated with prolonged overall survival among younger patients, while disparities in bacteroides populations were observed between early and advanced disease stages.
The researchers accentuated the potential implications of these findings on therapeutic strategies, drawing parallels with analogous studies in other malignancies. They underscored the relevance of immune checkpoint inhibitors, demonstrating efficacy in cancer patients with specific bacterial abundances, suggesting avenues for exploring F
