Changes of intestinal microbiota in colorectal cancer and its potential
ability to predict disease
Abstract
Background:It is controversial whether colorectal cancer (CRC)
impacts intestinal microbial alpha (α) diversity, and although some
studies have suggested an association between intestinal microbiota and
cancer risk, few have been used as a marker for CRC diagnosis.
Methods:By searching PubMed and BioProject databases, we
reanalysed published raw 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences and
metadata. We calculated α-diversity indices, screened the differentially
enriched genera and species shared among different studies, identified
potential CRC markers, and finally assessed the overall trend of these
indices. Results:The pooled analysis showed that based on the
fixed-effects model, α-diversity of the cancer group was lower than that
of the non-cancer group, and there was significant heterogeneity.
Heterogeneity was significantly reduced or eliminated when grouped by
geographic region, study scope, and sequencing platform. We also found
an association between gut microbiota and CRC. The genera
Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Gemella
Campylobacter, and Peptostreptococcus were only enriched
in the cancer group, while Faecalibacterium, Subdoligranulum, and
Fusicatenibacter were dominant in the non-cancer group. At the
same time, we also provide some evidence that Fusobacterium,
Gemella, Faecalibacterium, and Subdoligranulum have
diagnostic value in several studies and may be potential diagnostic
markers of CRC. Conclusions: This analysis indicates an
association between CRC and microbiota composition, and microbial
markers could be used as diagnostic indicators of CRC. However, future
studies should include more cohorts and wide sample sizes to identify
the role of the different microbiota in CRC.