the role of gut microbiome dysbiosis in colorectal cancer: correlation, molecular mechanisms, and probiotic potential

The gut microbiome is an extensive and vital community of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract which iscrucial for human health as it creates beneficial compounds, aiding fiber digestion, and enhancing the immunesystem. colorectal cancer (crc) is the third most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer‑relateddeath worldwide. this review aims to examine the link between gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis) andcrc using epidemiological data and molecular mechanisms, emphasizing the significance of probiotic-basedtherapy as a potential means of prevention and treatment. probiotics have the ability to intervene by restoringmicrobial equilibrium, reducing inflammation, and producing anti-tumor compounds. to collect information,we used pubmed, elsevier, sciencedirect, scopus, and embase, which provided access to a wide range ofpeer-reviewed articles, case-control studies, and cohort studies essential for a comprehensive analysis of thetopic. in this review, key differences in microbiome composition between healthy individuals and patientswith crc have been observed, including a decrease in beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria and an increasein carcinogenic bacteria such as fusobacterium nucleatum. the molecular mechanisms through whichdysbiosis accelerates carcinogenic process include the production of harmful metabolites, induction of chronicinflammation, and modulation of the host immune system. beneficial microorganisms known as probioticshave been proposed as a promising therapeutic option. in conclusion, probiotics can prevent and treat crcthrough various mechanisms, such as boosting the immune system, competing with pathogenic bacteria, andproducing anticancer compounds including butyrate. however, challenges remain in this field, including highvariability across studies, a lack of long-term investigations, and the need to determine optimal dose and strainfor each individual. to overcome these obstacles, future research should move towards more comprehensivestudies and personalized treatments.