The human gut microbiome is crucial for physiological activities, and its etiopathological insights reveal significant potential for the therapeutic management of various disorders, including several types of cancer and colonic diseases. The human gut comprises different kinds of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Microbial dysbiosis disrupts the natural balance of the microbiota, leading to harmful effects on health and disease progression. This article examines the role of the microbiome in the etiopathology and management of diseases such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticular disease. Alterations in the gut microbiota environment resulting from malnutrition, severe physiological disturbances in the gut canal, and environmental factors are recognized as biomarkers of illness and demonstrate therapeutic potential. An unhealthy diet induces dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, which exacerbates immunological responses, diminishes butyrate production, and reduces the quantity of short-chain fatty acids, contributing to the development of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The gastrointestinal microbiome influences chemotherapeutic treatment through five primary mechanisms: bacterial translocation, immunological modulation, metabolic regulation, enzymatic degradation, and loss of variability. This review discusses the potential impact of the gut microbiome on the therapy and etiopathology of related diseases. An innovative approach is required to modulate the gut microflora as a therapeutic strategy for cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, with the goal of reducing dependence on immunomodulators, anticancer agents, and other pharmacological interventions associated with adverse effects.
Gupta et al. (Wed,) studied this question.