Distinct gut microbiome patterns found in five cancer groups and in early-onset cancers
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered distinct gut microbiome patterns in adults 50 or younger with colorectal and breast cancers compared with those diagnosed later in life—one of several findings from an analysis of stool samples from 1,364 patients across cancer types, stages and treatments. The study is published in Cell.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have identified distinct patterns in the gut microbiome among adults diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50. This analysis, which examined stool samples from 1,364 patients across 40 states, found that those with colorectal cancer had higher lactate levels and more Veillonella parvula, a bacterium that feeds on lactate.
Early-onset breast cancer patients displayed changes in 64 bacterial species and lower levels of primary bile acids. The study, published in Cell, also revealed specific microbial associations with five different cancer groups. In neuroendocrine tumors, there was a broad loss of common gut bacteria, while liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers exhibited higher levels of certain bacteria, including Enterococcus faecalis.
Additionally, researchers discovered unique links between gut microbiome composition and treatment-related side effects, such as diarrhea during 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy. The findings suggest that the gut microbiome could play a role in determining cancer risk and treatment outcomes, but further research is needed to establish causality.
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