Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.4
4.1
Journals
Microorganisms
Special Issues
Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer
share announcement

Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Gut Microbiota".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 19771

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Cintoni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. UOC Nutrizione Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
2. Centro di Ricerca e Formazione in Nutrizione Umana, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: clinical nutrition; nutritional prehabilitation; nutrition in oncology; nutrition during radiotherapy; perioperative nutrition; body composition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Flavio De Maio

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Interests: gut microbiota; intestinal microbiome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The link between gut microbiota (GM) and gastrointestinal neoplasms is two-way. On the one hand, GM influences the development of neoplasms through the proinflammatory modulation of the local microenvironment, on the other hand, it is influenced by the neoplastic cells themselves and by the various treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, etc.) to which patients are subjected. GM is influenced by prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics supplementation, but the best way to modulate it is the diet pattern.

Understanding more deeply the type of relationship between nutrition, GM, and gastrointestinal cancers could lead to the development of new treatments and the improvement of supportive therapies during the oncological pathway.

I want to invite you to submit perspectives papers, original papers, narrative reviews, as well as systematic reviews, and meta-analyses about this issue.

Dr. Marco Cintoni
Dr. Flavio De Maio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gut microbiota
  • diet
  • nutrition
  • gastrointestinal cancer
  • colorectal cancer
  • probiotics
  • prebiotics
  • postbiotics
  • radiotherapy
  • chemotherapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

20 pages, 2734 KiB  
Article
Could the Microbial Profiling of Normal Pancreatic Tissue from Healthy Organ Donors Contribute to Understanding the Intratumoral Microbiota Signature in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma?
by Francesca Tavano, Alessandro Napoli, Domenica Gioffreda, Orazio Palmieri, Tiziana Latiano, Matteo Tardio, Fabio Francesco di Mola, Tommaso Grottola, Markus W. Büchler, Marco Gentile, Anna Latiano, Tommaso Mazza and Francesco Perri
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020452 - 19 Feb 2025
Viewed by 900
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with intratumoral microbiota changes. However, defining the normal pancreatic microbial composition remains a challenge. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that the microbial profiling of normal pancreatic tissue from healthy organ donors (HC) could help in determining the [...] Read more.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with intratumoral microbiota changes. However, defining the normal pancreatic microbial composition remains a challenge. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that the microbial profiling of normal pancreatic tissue from healthy organ donors (HC) could help in determining the signature of microbiota in PDAC. Matched pairs of tumor and normal tissues from PDAC patients (n = 32) and normal pancreatic tissues from HC (n = 17) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Dissimilarities in all the beta metrics emerged in both normal samples and tumor samples, compared to HC (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and Jaccard distance: p = 0.002; weighted UniFrac distances: p = 0.42 and p = 0.012, respectively; unweighted UniFrac distance: p = 0.009); a trend toward a lower Faith’s phylogenetic distance was found at the tumor level vs. HC (p = 0.08). Within PDAC, a lower Faith’s phylogenetic distance (p = 0.003) and a significant unweighted UniFrac distance (p = 0.024) were observed in tumor samples vs. normal samples. We noted the presence of a decreased abundance of bacteria with potential beneficial effects (Jeotgalicoccus) and anticancer activity (Acinetobacter_guillouiae) in PDAC vs. HC; bacteria involved in immune homeostasis and suppression of tumor progression (Streptococcus_salivarius, Sphingomonas) were reduced, and those implicated in tumor initiation and development (Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum, g_Delftia) were enhanced in tumor samples vs. normal samples. Metagenomic functions involved in fatty acid synthesis were reduced in normal samples compared to HC, while peptidoglycan biosynthesis IV and L-rhamnose degradation were more abundant in tumor samples vs. normal samples. Future prospective studies on larger populations, also including patients in advanced tumor stages and considering all potential existing confounding factors, as well as further functional investigations, are needed to prove the role of microbiota-mediated pathogenicity in PDAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3445 KiB  
Article
Exercise Affects Mucosa-Associated Microbiota and Colonic Tumor Formation Induced by Azoxymethane in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice
by Shogen Yo, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Tingting Gu, Momoyo Sasahira, Motoyasu Oosawa, Osamu Handa, Eiji Umegaki and Akiko Shiotani
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050957 - 9 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1520
Abstract
The only reliable factor that reduces the risk of colorectal carcinogenesis is physical activity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of physical activity against gut microbiota, including mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) on azoxymethane-induced colorectal tumors in obese [...] Read more.
The only reliable factor that reduces the risk of colorectal carcinogenesis is physical activity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of physical activity against gut microbiota, including mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) on azoxymethane-induced colorectal tumors in obese mice. We divided the subjects into four groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), ND + exercise (Ex), and HFD + Ex groups. The Ex group performed treadmill exercise for 20 weeks. Thereafter, fecal and colonic mucus samples were extracted for microbiota analysis. DNA was collected from feces and colonic mucosa, and V3–V4 amplicon sequencing analysis of the 16SrRNA gene was performed using MiSeq. The HFD group had significantly more colonic polyps than the ND group (ND 6.5 ± 1.3, HFD 11.4 ± 1.5, p < 0.001), and the addition of Ex suppressed the number of colonic polyps in ND and HFD groups (ND 6.5 ± 1.3, ND + Ex 2.8 ± 2.5, p < 0.05). The HFD group showed significantly lower concentrations of succinic, acetic, butyric, and propionic acids (mg/g) in feces, compared with the ND group (succinic acid HFD 0.59, ND 0.17; acetic acid HFD 0.63, ND 2.41; propionic acid HFD 0.10, ND 0.47; and N-butyric acid HFD 0.31, ND 0.93). In the case of ND, succinic acid and butyric acid tended to decrease with Ex (succinic acid ND 0.17, ND + Ex 0.12; N-butyric acid ND 0.93, ND + Ex 0.74 0.74). Succinic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid levels in feces were significantly lower in the HFD group than in the ND group; in both feces and mucus samples, Butyricicoccus and Lactobacillus levels were significantly lower in the HFD group. Akkermansia was significantly increased in ND + Ex and HFD + Ex groups. Diet and exercise affected the number of colorectal tumors. Furthermore, diet and exercise alter intestinal MAM, which may be involved in colorectal tumor development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 522 KiB  
Communication
Plasma Bacterial DNA Load as a Potential Biomarker for the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: A Case–Control Study
by Robertina Giacconi, Rossella Donghia, Graziana Arborea, Maria Teresa Savino, Mauro Provinciali, Fabrizia Lattanzio, Giusy Rita Caponio, Sergio Coletta, Antonia Bianco, Maria Notarnicola, Caterina Bonfiglio, Giuseppe Passarino, Patrizia D’Aquila, Dina Bellizzi and Pasqua Letizia Pesole
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2360; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092360 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2032
Abstract
The gut microbiota has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its significant impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. The recent detection of bacterial DNA load in plasma holds promise as a potential non-invasive approach for early cancer detection. The [...] Read more.
The gut microbiota has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its significant impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. The recent detection of bacterial DNA load in plasma holds promise as a potential non-invasive approach for early cancer detection. The aim of this study was to examine the quantity of bacterial DNA present in the plasma of 50 patients who have CRC in comparison to 40 neoplastic disease-free patients, as well as to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of plasma bacterial DNA and various clinical parameters. Plasma bacterial DNA levels were found to be elevated in the CRC group compared to the control group. As it emerged from the logistic analysis (adjusted for age and gender), these levels were strongly associated with the risk of CRC (OR = 1.02, p < 0.001, 95% C.I.: 1.01–1.03). Moreover, an association was identified between a reduction in tumor mass and the highest tertile of plasma bacterial DNA. Our findings indicate that individuals with CRC displayed a higher plasma bacterial DNA load compared to healthy controls. This observation lends support to the theory of heightened bacterial migration from the gastrointestinal tract to the bloodstream in CRC. Furthermore, our results establish a link between this phenomenon and the size of the tumor mass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2740 KiB  
Article
The Alteration of the Gut Microbiome during Ramadan Offers a Novel Perspective on Ramadan Fasting: A Pilot Study
by YoungJae Jo, GyuDae Lee, Sajjad Ahmad, HyunWoo Son, Min-Ji Kim, Amani Sliti, Seungjun Lee, Kyeongnam Kim, Sung-Eun Lee and Jae-Ho Shin
Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082106 - 18 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4080
Abstract
An intermittent fasting regimen is widely perceived to lead to various beneficial health effects, including weight loss, the alleviation of insulin resistance, and the restructuring of a healthy gut microbiome. Because it shares certain commonalities with this dietary intervention, Ramadan fasting is sometimes [...] Read more.
An intermittent fasting regimen is widely perceived to lead to various beneficial health effects, including weight loss, the alleviation of insulin resistance, and the restructuring of a healthy gut microbiome. Because it shares certain commonalities with this dietary intervention, Ramadan fasting is sometimes misinterpreted as intermittent fasting, even though there are clear distinctions between these two regimens. The main purpose of this study is to verify whether Ramadan fasting drives the same beneficial effects as intermittent fasting by monitoring alterations in the gut microbiota. We conducted a study involving 20 Muslim individuals who were practicing Ramadan rituals and assessed the composition of their gut microbiomes during the 4-week period of Ramadan and the subsequent 8-week period post-Ramadan. Fecal microbiome analysis was conducted, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were assessed using liquid-chromatography–mass spectrometry. The observed decrease in the levels of SCFAs and beneficial bacteria during Ramadan, along with the increased microbial diversity post-Ramadan, suggests that the daily diet during Ramadan may not provide adequate nutrients to maintain robust gut microbiota. Additionally, the notable disparities in the functional genes detected through the metagenomic analysis and the strong correlation between Lactobacillus and SCFAs provide further support for our hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

14 pages, 1767 KiB  
Review
Impact of Enteric Nervous Cells on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Potential Treatment Options
by Ploutarchos Pastras, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou and Christos Triantos
Microorganisms 2024, 12(10), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12102036 - 9 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2874
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that significantly impacts the lifestyle, health, and habits of numerous individuals worldwide. Its diagnosis and classification are based on the Rome criteria, updated periodically to reflect new research findings in this field. IBS can be classified [...] Read more.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that significantly impacts the lifestyle, health, and habits of numerous individuals worldwide. Its diagnosis and classification are based on the Rome criteria, updated periodically to reflect new research findings in this field. IBS can be classified into different types based on symptoms, each with distinct treatment approaches and some differences in their pathophysiology. The exact pathological background of IBS remains unclear, with many aspects still unknown. Recent research developments suggest that disorders in the brain-gut–microbiota axis are key contributors to the symptoms and severity of IBS. The central nervous system (CNS) interacts bidirectionally with intestinal processes within the lumen and the intestinal wall, with the autonomic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, playing an important role. However, the enteric nervous system (ENS) is also crucial in the pathophysiological pathway of IBS. The apeline–corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)–toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling route via enteric glia and serotonin production in enteroendocrine cells at the enteric barrier are among the most well-understood new findings that affect IBS through the ENS. Additionally, the microbiota regulates neuronal signals, modifying enteric function by altering the number of enteric bacteria and other mechanisms. Given the limited therapeutic options currently available, it is essential to identify new treatment targets, with the brain-gut axis, particularly the enteric nervous system, being a promising focus. This study aims to delineate the molecular mechanisms that induce IBS and to suggest potential targets for future research and treatment of this potentially debilitating disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1148 KiB  
Review
Friend or Foe: Exploring the Relationship between the Gut Microbiota and the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Digestive Cancers
by Monica Profir, Oana Alexandra Roşu, Sanda Maria Creţoiu and Bogdan Severus Gaspar
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050955 - 8 May 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2707
Abstract
Digestive cancers are among the leading causes of cancer death in the world. However, the mechanisms of cancer development and progression are not fully understood. Accumulating evidence in recent years pointing to the bidirectional interactions between gut dysbiosis and the development of a [...] Read more.
Digestive cancers are among the leading causes of cancer death in the world. However, the mechanisms of cancer development and progression are not fully understood. Accumulating evidence in recent years pointing to the bidirectional interactions between gut dysbiosis and the development of a specific type of gastrointestinal cancer is shedding light on the importance of this “unseen organ”—the microbiota. This review focuses on the local role of the gut microbiota imbalance in different digestive tract organs and annexes related to the carcinogenic mechanisms. Microbiota modulation, either by probiotic administration or by dietary changes, plays an important role in the future therapies of various digestive cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

14 pages, 1272 KiB  
Systematic Review
Exploring the Potential of Oral Microbiome Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis: A Systematic Review
by Roxana Loriana Negrut, Adrian Cote and Adrian Marius Maghiar
Microorganisms 2023, 11(6), 1586; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061586 - 15 Jun 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3137
Abstract
There is growing evidence indicating that the oral microbiota, specifically certain periodontopathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer and that it could potentially be used as a biomarker for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC). The [...] Read more.
There is growing evidence indicating that the oral microbiota, specifically certain periodontopathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer and that it could potentially be used as a biomarker for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC). The question beneath this systematic review is whether the development or progression of colorectal cancer can be attributed to the presence of certain oral bacteria, which could be used for discovering non-invasive biomarkers for CRC. This review aims to give an overview of the actual status of published studies regarding the oral pathogens related to colorectal cancer and assess the effectiveness of the oral microbiome derived biomarkers. A systematic literature search was performed using four databases, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct, on the 3rd and 4th of March 2023. The studies that did not have matching inclusion/exclusion criteria were winnowed out. A total of fourteen studies were included. The risk of bias was performed by using QUADAS-2. After assessing the studies, the general conclusion is that oral microbiota-based biomarkers can become a promising non-invasive tool for detecting CRC, but further research is needed in order to determine the mechanisms of oral dysbiosis in colorectal carcinogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Gastrointestinal Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop