The gut microbiota plays an essential role in maintaining immune homeostasis and influencing the immune landscape within the tumor microenvironment. This review aims to elucidate the interactions between gut microbiota and tumor immune dynamics, with a focus on colorectal cancer (CRC). The review spans foundational concepts of immuno-microbial interplay, factors influencing microbiome composition, and evidence linking gut microbiota to cancer immunotherapy outcomes. Gut microbiota modulates anti-cancer immunity through several mechanisms, including enhancement of immune surveillance and modulation of inflammatory responses. Specific microbial species and their metabolic byproducts can significantly influence the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. Furthermore, microbial diversity within the gut microbiota correlates with clinical outcomes in CRC, suggesting potential as a valuable biomarker for predicting response to immunotherapy. Conclusions: Understanding the relationship between gut microbiota and tumor immune responses offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies and biomarker development. The gut microbiota not only influences the natural history and treatment response of CRC but also serves as a critical modulator of immune homeostasis and anti-cancer activity. Further exploration into the microbiome’s role could enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments and guide the development of new therapeutic modalities.
This comprehensive review elucidates the intricate roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) within the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment, intersecting the domains of immunity, intercellular communication, and therapeutic potential. lncRNAs, which are significantly involved in the pathogenesis of CRC, immune evasion, and the treatment response to CRC, have crucial implications in inflammation and serve as promising candidates for novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers. This review scrutinizes the interaction of lncRNAs with the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMSs) of CRC, their complex interplay with the tumor stroma affecting immunity and inflammation, and their conveyance via extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes. Furthermore, we delve into the intricate relationship between lncRNAs and other non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs and circular RNAs, in mediating cell-to-cell communication within the CRC microenvironment. Lastly, we propose potential strategies to manipulate lncRNAs to enhance anti-tumor immunity, thereby underlining the significance of lncRNAs in devising innovative therapeutic interventions in CRC.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health burden worldwide and is the third most common type of cancer. The early detection and diagnosis of CRC is critical to improve patient outcomes. This review explores the intricate interplay between the tumor microenvironment, stromal interactions, and the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer. The review begins by assessing the gut microbiome’s influence on CRC development, emphasizing its association with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The role of the Wnt signaling pathway in CRC tumor stroma is scrutinized, elucidating its impact on disease progression. Tumor budding, its effect on tumor stroma, and the implications for patient prognosis are investigated. The review also identifies conserved oncogenic signatures (COS) within CRC stroma and explores their potential as therapeutic targets. Lastly, the seed and soil hypothesis is employed to contextualize metastasis, accentuating the significance of both tumor cells and the surrounding stroma in metastatic propensity. This review highlights the intricate interdependence between CRC cells and their microenvironment, providing valuable insights into prospective therapeutic approaches targeting tumor–stroma interactions.
1 January 2017 in Pirogov Russian Journal of Surgery
Objective. To analyze the major risk factors of cardiovascular complications at all stages of surgical treatment of elderly and senile patients with colorectal cancer and concomitant cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods. We enrolled 97 patients (51 men and 46 women) over 60 years old with comorbid cardiovascular diseases between January 2018 and September 2022. All ones underwent surgery for colorectal cancer including fast track postoperative technologies. Mean age of patients was 72.8±6.8 years. Results. Complicated postoperative period depended on NYHA class of heart failure, body mass index, heart valve disease and ASA class. Complicated postoperative period significantly lengthened ICU- and hospital-stay. Conclusion. Careful postoperative cardiac monitoring of elderly patients with colorectal cancer indicates potential need for aggressive treatment of pre-existing comorbid diseases.
1 January 2024 in CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MORPHOLOGY
Introduction. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common oncological diseases, the pathogenesis of which is closely associated with the development of inflammation. The study of inflammation regulation, including the balance of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines, is a promising topic for research, allowing for a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CRC and improving clinical approaches to the treatment for and diagnosis of this disease. This study investigates the altered secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., TNF-α and IL-1β, in CRC patients, aiming to elucidate immune dysregulation mechanisms. We sought to investigate the secretion characteristics of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), in patients with CRC. Materials and methods. We enrolled 25 newly diagnosed CRC patients and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of participants using magnetic separation based on the CD14 marker. The isolated monocytes were cultured and subjected to dual stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide at 24 hours and 7 days, followed by quantitative measurement of basal and stimulated cytokine levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. We revealed a significant reduction in TNF-α secretion in CRC monocytes after initial LPS stimulation, with no subsequent recovery upon restimulation. In contrast, IL-1β secretion elevated markedly in CRC patients, particularly after restimulation. These results suggest an impaired TNF-α response and an exacerbated IL-1β response in CRC, indicating a potential immune tolerance mechanism that may contribute to tumor progression. The distinct cytokine dynamics observed point at complex immune dysregulation within the CRC microenvironment. Conclusion. The observed cytokine secretion patterns may indicate immune dysregulation in the microenvironment of CRC. Our study underscores the importance of understanding the specific roles of cytokines in CRC pathogenesis and highlights the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions to modulate these immune responses. Further research is necessary to explore the underlying signaling pathways and the broader implications of these findings for CRC treatment strategies. This work provides critical insights into the pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles in CRC, advancing our understanding of the immune landscape in cancer and opening new avenues for therapeutic exploration. Keywords: colorectal cancer, cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, immune tolerance