Family Cohort Study Reveals Significant Fluctuations in Functional Microbiota in CRC (PRJCA038885)

This study examined the differences in gut flora between colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and their healthy partners. The study collected faecal samples from 41 CRC patients and 47 healthy partners for macro-genomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The results of the study indicated that the intestinal flora of CRC patients had a significant increase in harmful bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria. Specifically, bacteria associated with inflammation and cancer, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bilophila wadsworthia, were found to be significantly more abundant in the gut flora of CRC patients, whereas bacteria with anti-inflammatory and metabolic functions, such as Phocaeicola and Roseburia intestinalis, were more abundant. Furthermore, the gut flora of healthy partners exhibited increased carbohydrate degradation, while the gut flora of CRC patients demonstrated enhanced amino acid metabolism. Subsequent association analyses indicated that a significantly higher proportion of strains within the CRC group exhibited a positive association with KEGG pathways that promote inflammation and activate cancer pathways. In contrast, strains within the healthy group demonstrated a positive association with pathways related to antimicrobial substance synthesis, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and energy production. The findings of this study indicate that, despite the fact that patients suffering from CRC and healthy family members inhabit similar dietary and living environments, the presence of CRC significantly alters the composition and function of the intestinal flora, resulting in an increase in the abundance of harmful and cancer-promoting organisms, and a concomitant decrease in the abundance of beneficial bacteria. These findings provide new potential biomarkers and targets for intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.