a Research published today The journal Cell Host & Microbe reported that an increased presence of certain bacteria in the gut biome indicates that colon polyps are more likely to become cancerous.
In his research, William DePaoloAn associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine found that patients who underwent routine colonoscopies and had biopsies taken near the polyps to identify bacteria present at relatively high levels compared to patients without polyps. Tracked 40 people. All patients were between 50 and 75 years old, and 60% were women.
“The rising incidence of colorectal cancer is a major health concern, but little is known about the composition and role of the microbiota associated with precancerous polyps,” the study states. .
DePaolo’s research team discovered common bacteria that do not produce intestinal toxins. Bacteroides fragilis, It was elevated in mucosal biopsies of polyp patients.
The study also found distinct microbial signatures that differentiated patients with and without polyps, and established a correlation between polyp burden and polyp burden. B. fragilis Inflammation of samples and small polyps.
Upon closer inspection, DePaolo discovered the following: B. fragilis Polyps in polyp patients differ in their ability to induce inflammation compared to polyp patients. B. fragilis From people without polyps.
“The overall idea is that most people look at advanced colorectal cancer and think about the microbiome, but it’s difficult to determine if and when the microbiome has changed,” DePaolo said. To tell. “So we looked into this disease early on to see when the microbiome might move polyps closer to cancer.”
And when people think about the microbiome and its role in disease, they often think of changes in composition that potentially dangerous bacteria take over, he added.
“Our data suggest that in order to survive in an environment where metabolic and inflammatory changes are occurring, the normally healthy gut and associated bacteria contribute to inflammation rather than suppressing it. That means they may be adapting in some way,” DePaolo explained.
Only 5% of polyps in the colon actually turn out to be cancerous. He said polyps seem to occur repeatedly in the same areas of the colon and theorized that, in fact, a new screen for colon cancer could look for important bacteria living in the intestines. Also, the amount of this particular strain is B. fragilis – Before the development of precancerous polyps.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in the United States, and its incidence is increasing in younger people. DePaulo suggested that if screening were available to test for microorganisms before polyps appear, it could be an important factor in lowering these rates.
He said the next step is to expand the study to 200 patients and determine whether stool samples can be used as a substitute for mucosal biopsies.
This research was supported by the UW Startup Fund. This research was funded by the Roger C. Haggitt Endowed Chair Fund, R01CA220004, U01CA152756, and was also supported by a Washington Research Foundation Distinguished Investigator Award and Start-up Funding from the Institute for Systems Biology.
DePaolo is also the film’s director. Microbiome Science and Treatment Center.