The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease increasingly recognized for its complex interplay with the gut microbiota. The disruption of microbial homeostasis—dysbiosis—has profound implications for intestinal barrier integrity and host immune function. Pathogenic bacterial species such as F...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1005 |
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| author | Ana Iulia Neagu Marinela Bostan Vlad Alexandru Ionescu Gina Gheorghe Camelia Mia Hotnog Viviana Roman Mirela Mihaila Simona Isabelle Stoica Camelia Cristina Diaconu Carmen Cristina Diaconu Simona Maria Ruta Coralia Bleotu |
| author_facet | Ana Iulia Neagu Marinela Bostan Vlad Alexandru Ionescu Gina Gheorghe Camelia Mia Hotnog Viviana Roman Mirela Mihaila Simona Isabelle Stoica Camelia Cristina Diaconu Carmen Cristina Diaconu Simona Maria Ruta Coralia Bleotu |
| author_sort | Ana Iulia Neagu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease increasingly recognized for its complex interplay with the gut microbiota. The disruption of microbial homeostasis—dysbiosis—has profound implications for intestinal barrier integrity and host immune function. Pathogenic bacterial species such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Escherichia coli harboring polyketide synthase (pks) island, and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis are implicated in CRC through mechanisms involving mucosal inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, and immune evasion. These pathogens promote pro-tumorigenic inflammation, enhance DNA damage, and suppress effective anti-tumor immunity. Conversely, commensal and probiotic bacteria, notably Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, exert protective effects by preserving epithelial barrier function and priming host immune responses. These beneficial microbes can promote the maturation of dendritic cells, stimulate CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell cytotoxicity, and modulate regulatory T cell populations, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity. The dichotomous role of the microbiota underscores its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target in CRC. Recent advances in studies have explored microbiota-modulating strategies—ranging from dietary interventions and prebiotics to fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and microbial consortia—as adjuncts to conventional therapies. Moreover, the composition of the gut microbiome has been shown to influence the responses to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, raising the possibility of microbiome-informed precision oncology therapy. This review synthesizes the current findings on the pathogenic and protective roles of bacteria in CRC and evaluates the translational potential of microbiome-based interventions in shaping future therapeutic paradigms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5b09805fa2c64f8dbbb5050b208b13ca |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-5b09805fa2c64f8dbbb5050b208b13ca2025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-07-01157100510.3390/biom15071005The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal CancerAna Iulia Neagu0Marinela Bostan1Vlad Alexandru Ionescu2Gina Gheorghe3Camelia Mia Hotnog4Viviana Roman5Mirela Mihaila6Simona Isabelle Stoica7Camelia Cristina Diaconu8Carmen Cristina Diaconu9Simona Maria Ruta10Coralia Bleotu11Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaCenter of Immunology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaCenter of Immunology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, RomaniaCenter of Immunology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, RomaniaCenter of Immunology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, RomaniaColorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease increasingly recognized for its complex interplay with the gut microbiota. The disruption of microbial homeostasis—dysbiosis—has profound implications for intestinal barrier integrity and host immune function. Pathogenic bacterial species such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Escherichia coli harboring polyketide synthase (pks) island, and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis are implicated in CRC through mechanisms involving mucosal inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, and immune evasion. These pathogens promote pro-tumorigenic inflammation, enhance DNA damage, and suppress effective anti-tumor immunity. Conversely, commensal and probiotic bacteria, notably Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, exert protective effects by preserving epithelial barrier function and priming host immune responses. These beneficial microbes can promote the maturation of dendritic cells, stimulate CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell cytotoxicity, and modulate regulatory T cell populations, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity. The dichotomous role of the microbiota underscores its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target in CRC. Recent advances in studies have explored microbiota-modulating strategies—ranging from dietary interventions and prebiotics to fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and microbial consortia—as adjuncts to conventional therapies. Moreover, the composition of the gut microbiome has been shown to influence the responses to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, raising the possibility of microbiome-informed precision oncology therapy. This review synthesizes the current findings on the pathogenic and protective roles of bacteria in CRC and evaluates the translational potential of microbiome-based interventions in shaping future therapeutic paradigms.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1005colorectal cancermicrobiotaimmune responseintestinal barrier integritytherapy |
| spellingShingle | Ana Iulia Neagu Marinela Bostan Vlad Alexandru Ionescu Gina Gheorghe Camelia Mia Hotnog Viviana Roman Mirela Mihaila Simona Isabelle Stoica Camelia Cristina Diaconu Carmen Cristina Diaconu Simona Maria Ruta Coralia Bleotu The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer Biomolecules colorectal cancer microbiota immune response intestinal barrier integrity therapy |
| title | The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer |
| title_full | The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer |
| title_short | The Impact of the Microbiota on the Immune Response Modulation in Colorectal Cancer |
| title_sort | impact of the microbiota on the immune response modulation in colorectal cancer |
| topic | colorectal cancer microbiota immune response intestinal barrier integrity therapy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1005 |
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