Microbiome–Immune Interplay in Colorectal and Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Maher S.

Journal: SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine

Publisher: Springer Nature

Publication Date: 15 August 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 7 / Issue 1

Article No.: 254

ISSN: 25238973

DOI: 10.1007/s42399-025-01996-z

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Review

Authors and Affiliations

Maher S., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The human gut hosts a complex and dynamic community of microbes—collectively termed the gut microbiome—which plays a crucial role in maintaining immune function, metabolic processes, and intestinal barrier integrity. Emerging research over the past decade has highlighted the microbiome’s influence on cancer development, particularly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Objectives: This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the interplay between the gut microbiome and immune system in gastrointestinal cancers, with a focus on colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It also explores potential microbiome-based strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of recent literature on microbial diversity, dysbiosis, microbial metabolites, and their immunomodulatory roles in CRC and HCC. Key studies addressing microbiota-induced inflammation, immune surveillance, and tumor microenvironment modulation were analyzed. Results: Disruptions in microbial diversity, increased pathogenic bacteria, and depletion of beneficial species contribute to chronic inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and altered immune surveillance in CRC and HCC. Microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) influence tumor-associated immune responses locally and systemically. Microbiome-based interventions—including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and microbiome-informed immunotherapy—show promise in improving patient outcomes. Conclusions: Understanding the gut microbiome–immune axis provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment response of digestive system cancers. Integration of microbiome profiling into clinical practice may enable early detection and personalized therapy. However, translational challenges remain, and further research is needed to develop targeted, individualized microbiome-modulating strategies. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Keywords

Colorectal cancer; Microbes; Short-chain fatty acids; atezolizumab; bile acid; durvalumab; interleukin 10; interleukin 12; interleukin 17; interleukin 22; ipilimumab; lipopolysaccharide; nivolumab; prebiotic agent; probiotic agent; short chain fatty acid; toll like receptor; toll like receptor 2; toll like receptor 4; tumor necrosis factor; Actinobacteria; Bacteroidetes; cancer prevention; chronic inflammation; colorectal carcinoma; dysbiosis; epithelial barrier dysfunction; fecal microbiota transplantation; Firmicutes; Fusobacterium nucleatum; gastrointestinal cancer; gastrointestinal tumor; human; immune response; immunosurveillance; immunotherapy; inflammation; intestine flora; intestine lymphatic tissue; liver cancer; liver cell carcinoma; liver cirrhosis; melanoma; metabolite; microbial community; microbial diversity; microbiome; oligomerization; physical disease by etiology and pathogenesis; Proteobacteria; Review; search engine; solid tumor; tumor microenvironment

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 2

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