Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2025

A Method to Define the Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Colon Microbiome Biodiversity in a Mouse Colon Tumor Model

A Method to Define the Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Colon Microbiome Biodiversity in a Mouse Colon Tumor Model

Published on: February 28, 2018

Changes in Intestinal Microbiota and Their Relationship With Patient Characteristics in Colorectal Cancer

Lu Zhao¹, Yongkun Fang², Jingqiu Zhang²

¹The Yangzhou Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Yangzhou, China.

Clinical Medicine Insights. Oncology

|December 30, 2024

Abstract

Background:

Gut microbiota are associated with the pathological features and development of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, how gut microbiota changes in patients with CRC is unknown. This study investigated the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of CRC by retrospectively comparing the structural differences between the gut microbiota of patients with CRC and healthy individuals.

Methods:

Together with clinical data, we collected fecal samples from patients with CRC (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 18) and performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and alpha and beta diversity analysis to compare microbiota richness and diversity. Based on the differences in microbiota between the CRC and control groups, we identified disease-specific microbial communities after relevant factors. PICRUSt2 software was used to predict the differential microbial functions.

Results:

The CRC and control groups differed in both composition and abundance of intestinal microbiota. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla in both groups, while Verrucomicrobi was significantly more abundant in the CRC group. Megamonas, Lachnospira, and Romboutsia were more abundant in the control group; 18 genera differed significantly in abundance between the groups, which were found to involve 21 metabolic pathways. The distribution and abundance of gut microbiota differed significantly between patients with CRC with and without lymph node metastasis; at the genus level, the abundance of Rothia and Streptococcus was significantly higher and that of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Oscillibacter was significantly lower in patients with lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions:

The gut microbiota is altered in CRC patients compared with healthy individuals, with specific changes in the microbiota associated with clinical and pathological features such as tumor stage, lymph node involvement, and tumor differentiation. Our findings elaborate to some extent on the link between the gut microbiota and CRC.

Keywords:

16S rRNA clinical characteristic colorectal cancer intestinal microbiota lymph node metastasis

More Related Videos

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Associations between short-term absolute increases in ambient air pollution and hospital admissions and outpatient visits for depression: A nationwide case-crossover study.

Ecotoxicology and environmental safety·2026

Correction: Load identification method for pepper harvesting drum based on dynamic chaotic characteristics of vibration-torque coupling.

PloS one·2026

Identification of extracellular matrix-associated signatures to establish a risk model in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis through transcriptomic analysis.

Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine·2026

Latent Class Analysis of Negative Emotion Subtypes and Their Association With Quality of Life in Patients With Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Brain and behavior·2026

Integrating selective signature analysis and genome-wide association study to identify candidate genes associated with litter size in Leizhou goat （A revised version）.

Animal bioscience·2026

Immunogenicity and safety of primary three-dose series with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (acellular, three components) combined vaccine, adsorbed in 3 months infants.

Frontiers in immunology·2026

See all related articles