The regulation of host cellular and gut microbial metabolism in the development and prevention of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Metabolism regulation is crucial in colorectal cancer (CRC) and has emerged as a remarkable field currently. The cellular metabolism of glucose, amino acids and lipids in CRC are all reprogrammed. Each of them changes tumour microenvironment, modulates bacterial composition and activity, and eventually promotes CRC development. Metabolites such as short chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, N-nitroso compounds, hydrogen sulphide, polyphenols and toxins like fragilysin, FadA, cytolethal distending toxin and colibactin play a dual role in CRC. The relationship of gut microbe-metabolite is essential in remodelling intestinal microbial ecology composition and metabolic activity. It regulates the metabolism of colonic epithelial cells and changes the tumour microenvironment in CRC. Microbial metabolism manipulation has been considered to be potentially preventive in CRC, but more large-scale clinical trials are required before their application in clinical practice in the near future.

Keywords:

• Host–bacterium interactions
• microbe–metabolite relationship
• cellular metabolism
• microbial metabolites
• metabolism manipulation

Acknowledgements

Author Cheng-Bei Zhou is responsible for collecting and arranging references, writing and revising for this manuscript. Corresponding author Jing-Yuan Fang helps organize the structure and main contents of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.