Functional genomic analyses of the gut microbiota for CRC screening

The evidence for a strong correlation between the gut microbiota and colorectal carcinogenesis is quickly gathering pace. This correlation raises important questions, such as whether analysis of the microbiota can be used for screening purposes, and whether targeted intervention can influence the risk of development and progression of neoplasia. The recovery of several pathobionts-such as members of the different bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria-from the tumour microenvironment of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) now provides a link between specific microbial colonization and cancer. However, other intestinal bacteria belonging to another major intestinal phylum, Firmicutes, might be effective in the treatment of pathogenic inflammation related to CRC. Future approaches based on the analysis of the gut microbiota of patients with CRC combined with large human cohort studies might open up new possibilities for further prophylactic, screening and treatment strategies.