Composition of fecal microbiota in low-set rectal cancer patients treated with FOLFOX
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Published on: December 8, 2014
Jing Li1, Jingtao Li2, Na Lyu3
1College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Background:
FOLFOX treatment is a method used widely to reduce tumor size in low-set rectal cancer, with variable clinical results. FOLFOX agents comprise a mixture of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil, the efficacy of which might be modulated by the gut microbiome in humans. This study aimed to determine whether the bowel microbiota is a factor that influences FOLFOX treatment.
Methods:
To investigate the role of gut microbiota during FOLFOX treatment, we carried out comprehensive metagenomic and metabolomic analyses on 62 fecal samples collected from 37 low-set rectal cancer patients. A set of 31 samples was collected before the patients underwent treatment; another 31 samples were obtained after the treatment was completed. Among these samples, 50 were paired samples collected before and after FOLFOX treatment. The patients were divided into responder and nonresponder groups according to the treatment outcome. Metagenomic sequencing was performed on these fecal samples. Diverse bacterial taxa were identified by MetaGeneMark, Soapaligner, and DIAMOND; microbiotal data analyses were carried out in the R environment. Differences in microbial taxa and metagenomic linkage groups were observed in multiple comparative analyses.
Results:
The gut microbiota was altered after treatment. Compared with before treatment, the changes in bacterial diversity and microbiotal composition after treatment were more apparent in the responder group than in the nonresponder group. Bacterial species analysis revealed a group of gut bacteria in multiple comparisons, with a group of eight specific species being associated with the outcome of FOLFOX treatment. Responders and nonresponders before treatment were clearly separated based on this bacterial subset. Finally, the metagenomic linkage group network and metabolomic analyses based on the genomic data confirmed a more significant change in the gut microbiota during FOLFOX treatment in the responder group than in the nonresponder group.
Conclusions:
Overall, our results describe a dynamic process of gut microbiotal changes from the start to the end of FOLFOX treatment, and verified a close relationship between microbiota and treatment outcome. Recognition of the significance of microbiotal intervention before FOLFOX treatment for low-set rectal cancer may improve the effects of these agents.
Insights
The gut microbiome significantly impacts FOLFOX chemotherapy effectiveness in rectal cancer patients. Specific bacterial species before treatment can predict response to FOLFOX (oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiome Research
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy shows variable efficacy for low-set rectal cancer.
- The gut microbiome's role in modulating FOLFOX efficacy is increasingly recognized.
- Understanding this interaction is crucial for optimizing cancer treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of gut microbiota composition on FOLFOX treatment response in rectal cancer patients.
- To identify specific microbial signatures associated with treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive metagenomic and metabolomic analyses of 62 fecal samples from 37 rectal cancer patients.
- Samples collected pre- and post-FOLFOX treatment, with patients categorized as responders or nonresponders.
- Analysis of bacterial taxa, diversity, and metagenomic linkage groups using advanced bioinformatics tools.
Main Results:
- Gut microbiota composition significantly altered following FOLFOX treatment, particularly in responders.
- A distinct subset of eight bacterial species was identified as predictive of FOLFOX treatment response.
- Pre-treatment microbial profiles clearly differentiated responders from nonresponders.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota dynamics are closely linked to FOLFOX treatment outcomes in rectal cancer.
- Targeted microbiotal interventions prior to FOLFOX therapy may enhance treatment efficacy.
- This study highlights the potential of personalized microbiome-based strategies in rectal cancer care.
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