Association of distinct microbial signatures with premalignant colorectal adenomas

Association of distinct microbial signatures with premalignant colorectal adenomas

  • May 10, 2023

Jonathan Wei Jie Lee, Damian R. Plichta, Shreya Asher, Marisa Delsignore, Tiffany Jeong, Jessica McGoldrick, Kyle Staller, Hamed Khalili, Ramnik J. Xavier 10, Daniel C. Chung

 

Abstract
Environmental exposures are a major risk factor for developing colorectal cancer, and the gut microbiome may serve as an integrator of such environmental risk. To study the microbiome associated with premalignant colon lesions, such as tubular adenomas (TAs) and sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs), we profiled stool samples from 971 participants undergoing colonoscopy and paired these data with dietary and medication history. The microbial signatures associated with either SSA or TA are distinct. SSA associates with multiple microbial antioxidant defense systems, whereas TA associates with a depletion of microbial methanogenesis and mevalonate metabolism. Environmental factors, such as diet and medications, link with the majority of identified microbial species. Mediation analyses found that Flavonifractor plautii and Bacteroides stercoris transmit the protective or carcinogenic effects of these factors to early carcinogenesis. Our findings suggest that the unique dependencies of each premalignant lesion may be exploited therapeutically or through dietary intervention.

Link [Association of distinct microbial signatures with premalignant colorectal adenomas]