SUPR
Diet, antibiotics, gut microbiome and colorectal cancer
Dnr:

simp2025012

Type:

NAISS SENS

Principal Investigator:

Susanna Larsson

Affiliation:

Uppsala universitet

Start Date:

2025-06-18

End Date:

2026-07-01

Primary Classification:

30203: Cancer and Oncology

Webpage:

Allocation

Abstract

Extensive research shows that diet significantly influences disease and mortality, with growing attention on the gut microbiome's role in these relationships. Colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, appears particularly affected by the gut microbiota due to its location in the body. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiome is strongly linked to CRC progression, and antibiotic use—which disrupts the microbiome—has been associated with increased CRC risk. Since diet shapes the microbiome, it may also mediate or modify CRC risk. However, the mechanisms by which diet influences microbial composition and function, and how these changes affect disease progression, remain unclear. Most current insights come from studies on existing CRC cases, leaving gaps in understanding early microbial changes before disease onset. Identifying dietary patterns that reflect CRC-associated microbial signatures is essential for understanding how diet impacts CRC through the microbiome. A deeper understanding of how diet and antibiotics influence the microbiome could inform prevention and screening strategies for CRC.