Mayo Clinic researchers link gut microbiome patterns to five cancer types

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified distinct gut microbiome patterns across five different cancer groups, according to a study published in the journal Cell. By analyzing stool samples from 1,364 cancer patients and comparing them with 287 healthy individuals, scientists identified 341 bacterial species associated with specific malignancies.

The study highlighted significant differences in patients with early-onset colorectal and breast cancers compared to older patients. For instance, younger colorectal cancer patients showed higher lactate levels and increased presence of Veillonella parvula. Early-onset breast cancer was associated with changes in 64 bacterial species and lower levels of primary bile acids.

Other findings included a widespread loss of health-associated bacteria in neuroendocrine tumors, elevated levels of Enterococcus faecalis in liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers, and increased levels of Streptococcus in esophageal cancer. While these associations provide insights into disease evolution and treatment response, researchers noted that the study does not prove these bacteria cause cancer.