Gut Microbiota Secondary Metabolites: Key Roles in GI Tract Cancers and Infectious Diseases

Author's Department

Institute of Global Health & Human Ecology

Fifth Author's Department

Institute of Global Health & Human Ecology

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https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010100

All Authors

Eman K.E. Anwer Muhammad Ajagbe Moustafa Sherif Abobaker S. Musaibah Shuaib Mahmoud Ali ElBanbi Anwar Abdelnaser

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Biomedicines

Publication Date

1-1-2025

doi

10.3390/biomedicines13010100

Abstract

The gut microbiota, a dynamic ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms, produces secondary metabolites that profoundly influence host health. Recent research has highlighted the significant role of these metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids, indoles, and bile acids, in modulating immune responses, impacting epigenetic mechanisms, and contributing to disease processes. In gastrointestinal (GI) cancers such as colorectal, liver, and gastric cancer, microbial metabolites can drive tumorigenesis by promoting inflammation, DNA damage, and immune evasion. Conversely, these same metabolites hold therapeutic promise, potentially enhancing responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy and even directly suppressing tumor growth. In addition, gut microbial metabolites play crucial roles in infectious disease susceptibility and resilience, mediating immune pathways that impact pathogen resistance. By consolidating recent insights into the gut microbiota’s role in shaping disease and health, this review underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting microbiome-derived metabolites for treating GI cancers and infectious diseases and calls for further research into microbiome-based interventions.

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