Harnessing gut microbiota for colorectal cancer therapy: from clinical insights to therapeutic innovations.

ABSTRACT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet improvements in survival have been modest despite advances in conventional therapies. The gut microbiota has emerged as a critical player in CRC pathogenesis and a promising therapeutic target to enhance clinical outcomes. Mounting evidence implicates specific microorganisms, notably Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Bacteroides fragilis, in tumor initiation and progression through DNA damage, inflammatory modulation, and immunosuppressive mechanisms. Clinical trials investigating microbiome modulators-including faecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, and engineered biotherapeutics-highlight their potential to augment chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, an

SUBMITTER: Chen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12485087 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature