The oral microbiota in colorectal cancer is distinctive and predictive

Background and aims Microbiota alterations are linked with colorectal cancer (CRC) and notably higher abundance of putative oral bacteria on colonic tumours. However, it is not known if colonic mucosa-associated taxa are indeed orally derived, if such cases are a distinct subset of patients or if the oral microbiome is generally suitable for screening for CRC. Methods We profiled the microbiota in oral swabs, colonic mucosae and stool from individuals with CRC (99 subjects), colorectal polyps (32) or controls (103). Results Several oral taxa were differentially abundant in CRC compared with controls, for example, Streptococcus and Prevotella s pp. A classification model of oral swab microbiota distinguished…

• SF
  Science Foundation Ireland