Colorectal cancer occurrence and treatment based on changes in intestinal flora
Huifang Si, Qing Yang, Hong‐Ming Hu, Chunsheng Ding, Huichao Wang, Xuhong Lin
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in the world, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. The occurrence of CRC is believed to be related to a variety of factors. Epidemiological data indicate that CRC is mainly affected by environmental factors, eating habits, physical activity and genetic factors. As a newly recognized functional component, the intestinal microbiota plays important roles in preventing CRC formation and maintaining intestinal immunity. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota causes CRC through alterations to immune function, focusing on the mechanisms by which intestinal microbial dysfunction promotes CRC. Furthermore, we describe the changes in the intestinal flora observed in CRC and their potential for CRC treatment with the goal of facilitating future research on the roles of the intestinal flora.