Title:The Link Between Bacterial Inflammagens, Leaky Gut Syndrome and
Colorectal Cancer
Volume: 28
Issue: 41
Author(s): Greta M de Waal*, Willem J.S. de Villiers and Etheresia Pretorius*
Affiliation:
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland,
7602, South Africa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland,
7602, South Africa
Keywords:
Colorectal cancer, gut microbiome, bacterial inflammagens, inflammation, hypercoagulation, tumour development.
Abstract: There is a causal relationship between cancer (including colorectal cancer),
chronic systemic inflammation and persistent infections, and the presence of dysregulated
circulating inflammatory markers. It is known that aberrant clot formation and coagulopathies
occur in systemic inflammation. In colorectal cancer, there is a close link between
gut dysbiosis and an inflammatory profile. In this review, we present evidence of
the connection between gut dysbiosis, the entry of bacteria into the internal environment,
and the presence of their highly potent inflammagenic molecules, such as
lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid, in circulation. These bacterial components may
act as one of the main drivers of the inflammatory process (including hypercoagulation)
in colorectal cancer. We review literature that points to the role of these bacterial inflammagens
and how they contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis. Insight into the factors that
promote carcinogenesis is crucial to effectively prevent and screen for colorectal cancer.
Early diagnosis of an activated coagulation system and the detection of bacterial components
in circulation and also in the tumour microenvironment, could therefore be important,
and may also, together with modulation of the gut microbiota, serve as potential therapeutic
targets.
