Gut Microbiota and Cancers of the GI Tract: Role in Regulation, Prevention and Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

The prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies is steadily increasing worldwide. Currently, GI cancers account for approximately 25% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases and are responsible for one-third of global cancer-related mortality. In addition to well-characterised cancer-associated risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use, dietary habits and lifestyle changes are contributing to this observed increase in prevalence. An elevated consumption of processed foods characteristic of Western-type diets and more sedentary lifestyles may represent the main modulators of this trend, as they are the underlying causes of obesity and various non-communicable metabolic states, disorders, and diseases that are strongly associated with the incidence of GI cancers.

Humans and the microbiota coexist in symbiosis and are mutually dependent. The gut microbiota degrades complex carbohydrates, turning them into SCFAs to use as an energy source and as signalling molecules. They are a major player in lipid metabolism, enhance nutrient absorption, and influence immune response and inflammation. Alterations to the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota are increasingly being recognised as influential in the pathogenesis of GI malignancies. Despite growing evidence, the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving this association are still not well understood. Certain bacterial taxa have been associated with tumorigenic processes, whereas others exhibit a protective role or potential antineoplastic properties. Importantly, new evidence is emerging that by modulating the tumour microenvironment, the gut microbiota affects the success of various therapeutic approaches.

For this Special Issue, we invite submissions that advance our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms by which the microbiota influences the development of GI cancers, as well as translational and clinical research exploring the impact of the microbiota on the efficacy and outcomes of anti-cancer therapies.

Dr. Luka Bočkor
Dr. Jurica Žučko
Guest Editors

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• gut microbiota
• gastrointestinal cancers
• gastrointestinal microbiota
• anti-cancer therapies