Alterations in gut microbiota of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients
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CUHK Authors
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AbstractBackground and Aim
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer worldwide. Patients with ESCC display an altered esophageal microbiota compared with healthy individuals; however, little is known about the gut microbiota in ESCC.
Methods
Here, we characterized the fecal microbiota of 15 ESCC patients and 16 healthy control subjects using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Results
After controlling for potential confounders, significant alterations in both taxonomic and functional composition of the gut microbiota in ESCC patients were observed. By contrast, alpha diversity of the gut microbiota did not significantly differ between the cases and controls. We observed an enrichment of potentially pro-inflammatory and/or carcinogenic bacteria, such as Butyricimonas, Veillonella, and Streptococcus, and a depletion of butyrate-producing and/or potentially anti-inflammatory bacteria, such as Butyricicoccus, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Eubacterium eligens group, in the gut microbiota of ESCC patients. The log-ratios of Streptococcus to Butyricicoccus and Streptococcus to Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group of the gut microbiota were identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ESCC, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.863 (95% confidence interval: 0.707–1.000) and 0.825 (0.673–0.977), respectively. The diagnostic performance of both microbial biomarkers was validated in another ESCC cohort.
Conclusions
This pilot study has revealed an altered gut microbiota in ESCC patients and has paved the way for large-scale prospective cohort studies to examine the causative relationship between ESCC and gut dysbiosis.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer worldwide. Patients with ESCC display an altered esophageal microbiota compared with healthy individuals; however, little is known about the gut microbiota in ESCC.
Methods
Here, we characterized the fecal microbiota of 15 ESCC patients and 16 healthy control subjects using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Results
After controlling for potential confounders, significant alterations in both taxonomic and functional composition of the gut microbiota in ESCC patients were observed. By contrast, alpha diversity of the gut microbiota did not significantly differ between the cases and controls. We observed an enrichment of potentially pro-inflammatory and/or carcinogenic bacteria, such as Butyricimonas, Veillonella, and Streptococcus, and a depletion of butyrate-producing and/or potentially anti-inflammatory bacteria, such as Butyricicoccus, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Eubacterium eligens group, in the gut microbiota of ESCC patients. The log-ratios of Streptococcus to Butyricicoccus and Streptococcus to Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group of the gut microbiota were identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ESCC, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.863 (95% confidence interval: 0.707–1.000) and 0.825 (0.673–0.977), respectively. The diagnostic performance of both microbial biomarkers was validated in another ESCC cohort.
Conclusions
This pilot study has revealed an altered gut microbiota in ESCC patients and has paved the way for large-scale prospective cohort studies to examine the causative relationship between ESCC and gut dysbiosis.
All Author(s) ListCheung MK, Yue GGL, Lauw S, Li CSY, Yung MY, Ng SC, Yip HC, Kwan HS, Chiu PWY, Lau CBS
Journal nameJournal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Year2022
Month10
Volume Number37
Issue Number10
Pages1919 - 1927
ISSN0815-9319
LanguagesEnglish-United Kingdom
