Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age

Abstract Background and Aims Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in young patients without a clear etiology. Emerging data have implicated the fecal microbiome in CRC carcinogenesis. However, its impact on young onset CRC is poorly defined. Methods We performed a meta‐analysis of fecal m...

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Main Authors: Jordan Kharofa, Senu Apewokin, Theresa Alenghat, Nicholas J. Ollberding
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-02-01
Series:Cancer Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5197
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author Jordan Kharofa
Senu Apewokin
Theresa Alenghat
Nicholas J. Ollberding
author_facet Jordan Kharofa
Senu Apewokin
Theresa Alenghat
Nicholas J. Ollberding
author_sort Jordan Kharofa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and Aims Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in young patients without a clear etiology. Emerging data have implicated the fecal microbiome in CRC carcinogenesis. However, its impact on young onset CRC is poorly defined. Methods We performed a meta‐analysis of fecal metagenomics sequencing data from n = 692 patients with CRC and n = 602 healthy controls from eleven studies to evaluate features of the fecal metagenome associated with CRC. We hypothesized that known carcinogenic virulence factors (colibactin, fadA) and species abundance may be differentially enriched in young CRC patients relative to older CRC patients and controls. Results Summary odds ratios (OR) for CRC were increased with the presence of colibactin (OR 1.92 95% CI 1.08–3.38), fadA (OR 4.57 95% CI 1.63–12.85), and F. nucleatum (OR 6.93 95% CI 3.01–15.96) in meta‐analysis models adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index. The OR for CRC for the presence of E.coli was 2.02 (0.92–4.45). An increase in the prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (OR = 1.40 [1.18; 1.65]) and Escherichia coli (OR = 1.14 [1.02; 1.28]) per 10‐year increase in age was observed in models including samples from both CRC and healthy controls. Species relative abundance was differentially enriched in young CRC patients for five species‐Intestinimonas butyriciproducens, Holdemania filiformis, Firimicutues bacterium CAG 83, Bilophilia wadsworthia, and Alistipes putredinis. Conclusion In this study, we observed strong associations with CRC status for colibactin, fadA, and Fusobacterium nucleatum with CRC relative to controls. In addition, we identified several microbial species differentially enriched in young colorectal cancer patients. Studies targeting the young CRC patients are warranted to elucidate underlying preclinical mechanisms.
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spelling doaj.art-c6ae52a4d22e4ec998a968c7542388e72024-11-25T07:56:31ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342023-02-011232945295710.1002/cam4.5197Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of ageJordan Kharofa0Senu Apewokin1Theresa Alenghat2Nicholas J. Ollberding3Department of Radiation Oncology University of Cincinnati Cancer Cancer Center Cincinnati Ohio USADepartment of Infectious Disease University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati Ohio USADivision of Immunobiology Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati Ohio USADepartment of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati Ohio USAAbstract Background and Aims Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is increasing in young patients without a clear etiology. Emerging data have implicated the fecal microbiome in CRC carcinogenesis. However, its impact on young onset CRC is poorly defined. Methods We performed a meta‐analysis of fecal metagenomics sequencing data from n = 692 patients with CRC and n = 602 healthy controls from eleven studies to evaluate features of the fecal metagenome associated with CRC. We hypothesized that known carcinogenic virulence factors (colibactin, fadA) and species abundance may be differentially enriched in young CRC patients relative to older CRC patients and controls. Results Summary odds ratios (OR) for CRC were increased with the presence of colibactin (OR 1.92 95% CI 1.08–3.38), fadA (OR 4.57 95% CI 1.63–12.85), and F. nucleatum (OR 6.93 95% CI 3.01–15.96) in meta‐analysis models adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index. The OR for CRC for the presence of E.coli was 2.02 (0.92–4.45). An increase in the prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (OR = 1.40 [1.18; 1.65]) and Escherichia coli (OR = 1.14 [1.02; 1.28]) per 10‐year increase in age was observed in models including samples from both CRC and healthy controls. Species relative abundance was differentially enriched in young CRC patients for five species‐Intestinimonas butyriciproducens, Holdemania filiformis, Firimicutues bacterium CAG 83, Bilophilia wadsworthia, and Alistipes putredinis. Conclusion In this study, we observed strong associations with CRC status for colibactin, fadA, and Fusobacterium nucleatum with CRC relative to controls. In addition, we identified several microbial species differentially enriched in young colorectal cancer patients. Studies targeting the young CRC patients are warranted to elucidate underlying preclinical mechanisms.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5197Fusobacterium nucleatum, colibactinyoung‐onset colorectal cancer
spellingShingle Jordan Kharofa
Senu Apewokin
Theresa Alenghat
Nicholas J. Ollberding
Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
Cancer Medicine
Fusobacterium nucleatum, colibactin
young‐onset colorectal cancer
title Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
title_full Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
title_fullStr Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
title_full_unstemmed Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
title_short Metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
title_sort metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls as a function of age
topic Fusobacterium nucleatum, colibactin
young‐onset colorectal cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5197
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