Colorectal Cancer and Microbiota Modulation for Clinical Use. A Systematic Review

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the top contributors to the global burden of cancer incidence and mortality, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its etiology. Environmental factors may be the cause of up to 60% of the risk of developing CRC, with gut microbiota being a crucial modifiable risk factor. The microbial ecosystem plays a vital role in CRC prevention and antitumoral response through modulation of the immune system and production of short-chain fatty acids. Numerous approaches have been followed to modify the gut microbiota in order to reduce the risk of cancer development, improve treatment efficacy, and reduce side effects. This study aims to perform a systematic analysis of the published literature to elucidate whether microbiota modulation through pre-, pro-, and symbiotic treatment and/or nutritional intervention can be beneficial for patients diagnosed with CRC. Our analysis finds that some prebiotics, mainly in the form of oligo- and polysaccharides, probiotics such as lactic strain producers of short-chain fatty acids, and consumption of a Mediterranean plant-based diet may be beneficial for patients diagnosed with CRC. However, there is a need for clinical data which evaluate the modulation of gut microbiota in a safe and effective manner.

Acknowledgments

We thank Drs. Alberto Canfran-Duque and Noemi Rotllan for their critical reading of this manuscript. We apologize to those whose work could not be cited owing to space limitations.

Authors Contributions

JMM designed and performed the systematic search, and wrote and edited the manuscript. SBE contributed to the editing and interpretation of the manuscript. All authors screened the articles for eligibility criteria, read and edited the final draft of the manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability

There are no restrictions on data availability in this manuscript.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.