Friend or Foe - Exploring the Relationship between the Gut Microbiota and the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Digestive Cancers

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Ivy

Digestive cancers are among the leading causes of cancer death worldwide, yet the mechanisms driving their development and progression remain incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence highlights bidirectional interactions between gut dysbiosis and specific gastrointestinal cancer types, emphasizing the microbiota as an “unseen organ.” This review examines how imbalance in the gut microbiota contributes to carcinogenic mechanisms across digestive tract organs and related tissues. Microbiota modulation via probiotics or dietary change is discussed as a key component of future digestive cancer therapies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

1. Introduction

2. Role of the Gut Microbiota in Digestive Health

# microorganisms Review # Friend or Foe: Exploring the Relationship between the GutMicrobiota andthe Pathogenesis and Treatment ofDigestive Cancers Monica Profir 1,2, Oana Alexandra Ro¸su 1, Sanda Maria Cre¸toiu 2,*and Bogdan Severus Gaspar 3,4 1 Department of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania;monica.profir@rez.umfcd.ro (M.P.); oana-alexandra.rosu@rez.umfcd.ro (O.A.R.) 2 Department of Morphological Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology and Histology, “Carol Davila” Universityof Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania 3 Surgery Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital of Bucharest, 014461 Bucharest, Romania;bogdan.gaspar@umfcd.ro 4 Department of Surgery, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania * Correspondence: sanda.cretoiu@umfcd.ro Abstract: Digestive cancers are among the leading causes of cancer death in the world. However,the mechanisms of cancer development and progression are not fully understood. Accumulatingevidence in recent years pointing to the bidirectional interactions between gut dysbiosis andthedevelopment of a specific typeof gastrointestinal cancer is shedding light on the importance of this“unseen organ”—the microbiota. This review focuses on the local role of the gut microbiota imbalanceindifferent digestive tract organs and annexes related to the carcinogenic mechanisms. Microbiotamodulation, either by probiotic administration or by dietary changes, plays an important role in thefuture therapies of various digestive cancers. Citation: Profir, M.; Ro¸su, O.A.;Cre¸toiu, S.M.; Gaspar, B.S. Friend orFoe: Exploring the Relationshipbetween the Gut Microbiota and the Pathogenesis and Treatment ofDigestive Cancers. Microorganisms2024, 12, 955 . https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050955 Academic Editors: Marco Cintoni andFlavio De Maio Received: 11 March 2024 Revised: 25 April 2024 Accepted: 6 May 2024 Published: 8 May 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This article is an open access articledistributed under the terms andconditions of the Creative CommonsAttribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/) . Keywords: digestive system cancer; gut microbiota; dysbiosis; gut–organ axis; gastrointestinaltumor development ## 1. Introduction Gastrointestinal cancers represent a global health burden, accounting for 1 in 4 cancercases and 1 in 3 cancer deaths worldwide. This group of malignancies includes cancer ofthe esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, and rectum [1] . The clinical presentationof gastrointestinal cancers is highly variable, underlying the complexity of this pathol-ogy. Early detection through screening programs and advances in treatment strategies,including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, have improved the outcomeof gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. However, challenges in this field remain, especiallyin advanced stages, and high efforts are being put into better understanding the molecularmechanisms behind this pathology and exploring new treatment options. The development and progression of gastrointestinal cancers are believed tobe theresult of intricate interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Several riskfactors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, high-fat diets, and obesity, have been iden-tified through epidemiological studies [2] . In addition, several microorganisms, includingbacteria and viruses, have been acknowledged for their role in tumor development, somebeing classified as class I carcinogens (e.g., Helicobacter pylori, Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis Band C viruses, and Kaposi-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) [3] . This relationship betweencancer and microorganisms has led researchers to investigate the implications of the gutmicrobiome in carcinogenesis. Significant correlationshave been made, including therelationship between H. pylori and gastric cancer (GC) and Fus

FAQs

How does gut dysbiosis relate to digestive cancer development?

Evidence supports bidirectional interactions between gut dysbiosis and the development of specific gastrointestinal cancers. This relationship helps explain why microbiota imbalance may contribute to carcinogenic mechanisms.

Which gut microorganisms are discussed in relation to digestive health and disease?

The review describes the dominant phyla in healthy gut microbiota (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes among others) and notes specific microorganisms such as Helicobacter pylori, Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, Kaposi-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and Fusobacterium species.

What therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota are suggested?

Microbiota modulation through probiotic administration and dietary changes is highlighted as an important role in future therapies for various digestive cancers.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Ivy