Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health burden, with gut microbiota emerging as a crucial modulator of CRC pathogenesis and therapeutic outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the influence of gut microbiota on tumor immune surveillance and responses to immunotherapie...

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Main Authors: Chunlei Zhang, Yong Wang, Lei Cheng, Xiansheng Cao, Chunyuan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1557959/full
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author Chunlei Zhang
Yong Wang
Lei Cheng
Xiansheng Cao
Chunyuan Liu
author_facet Chunlei Zhang
Yong Wang
Lei Cheng
Xiansheng Cao
Chunyuan Liu
author_sort Chunlei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health burden, with gut microbiota emerging as a crucial modulator of CRC pathogenesis and therapeutic outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the influence of gut microbiota on tumor immune surveillance and responses to immunotherapies and chemotherapy in CRC. We highlight the role of specific microbial taxa in promoting or inhibiting tumor growth and the potential of microbiota-based biomarkers for predicting treatment efficacy. The review also discusses the implications of microbiota modulation strategies, including diet, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, for personalized CRC management. By critically evaluating the literature, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiota’s dual role in CRC and to inform future research directions in this field.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2234-943X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-f9474514f5ce4ac8bf3db5fa8fbd271e2025-08-20T02:03:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-03-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15579591557959Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic responseChunlei Zhang0Yong Wang1Lei Cheng2Xiansheng Cao3Chunyuan Liu4Department of Colorectal and Anus Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaDepartment of Colorectal and Anus Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery I, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaDepartment of Colorectal and Anus Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaColorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health burden, with gut microbiota emerging as a crucial modulator of CRC pathogenesis and therapeutic outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the influence of gut microbiota on tumor immune surveillance and responses to immunotherapies and chemotherapy in CRC. We highlight the role of specific microbial taxa in promoting or inhibiting tumor growth and the potential of microbiota-based biomarkers for predicting treatment efficacy. The review also discusses the implications of microbiota modulation strategies, including diet, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, for personalized CRC management. By critically evaluating the literature, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiota’s dual role in CRC and to inform future research directions in this field.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1557959/fullcolorectal cancergut microbiotatumor immune surveillancetherapeutic responseprobioticsprebiotics
spellingShingle Chunlei Zhang
Yong Wang
Lei Cheng
Xiansheng Cao
Chunyuan Liu
Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
Frontiers in Oncology
colorectal cancer
gut microbiota
tumor immune surveillance
therapeutic response
probiotics
prebiotics
title Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
title_full Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
title_fullStr Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
title_full_unstemmed Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
title_short Gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
title_sort gut microbiota in colorectal cancer a review of its influence on tumor immune surveillance and therapeutic response
topic colorectal cancer
gut microbiota
tumor immune surveillance
therapeutic response
probiotics
prebiotics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1557959/full
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