Diversity in Gut Microbiota Among Colorectal Cancer Patients: Findings from a Case-control Study Conducted at a Tunisian University Hospital

Purpose: Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent cancers. One distinctive feature of colorectal cancer is its close relationship to the gut microbiota, which is a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment. Over the last ten years, research has demonstrated that colorectal cancer is accompanied with dysbiosis of gut bacteria, fungi, viruses, and Archaea, and that these alterations may be causal.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the disruption of the microorganism composition in the intestine, especially bacteria and to determine their relationship with colorectal cancer.

Methods: An evaluation system for determining colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and prognosis can be established more easily with the help of accurate gut microbiota profiling. Stool samples from 14 CRC patients and 13 controls were collected and the flora relative abundance was measured using targeted quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays to evaluate diagnostic potential of selected biomarkers: Streptococcus gallolyticus and Enterococcus faecalis. Culture and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry were coupled to identify the gut microbiota in both colorectal cancer and control groups.

Results: Compared with controls, the gut microbiota of CRC patients showed an increase in the abundance of Enterococcus, Fusobacterium and Streptococcus. At the species level, the CRC enriched bacterium including Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus gallolyticus, Flavoni fractorplautii and Eggerthella lenta acted as promising biomarkers for early detection of CRC.

Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of gut microbiota biomarkers as a promising non-invasive tool for the accurate detection and distinction of individuals with CRC.