Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients
BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly linked to gut microbiome dysbiosis. However, few studies have examined tumor-associated microbial dynamics in Korean CRC patients using both mucosal and fecal samples.MethodsWe analyzed paired fecal and mucosal samples from 30 Korean CRC patients age...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1578861/full |
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| author | Younggwang Kim Min Ki Kim Sanghun Lee Sanghun Lee Sanghun Lee |
| author_facet | Younggwang Kim Min Ki Kim Sanghun Lee Sanghun Lee Sanghun Lee |
| author_sort | Younggwang Kim |
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| description | BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly linked to gut microbiome dysbiosis. However, few studies have examined tumor-associated microbial dynamics in Korean CRC patients using both mucosal and fecal samples.MethodsWe analyzed paired fecal and mucosal samples from 30 Korean CRC patients aged 60–80 years before and after surgery. Microbial DNA was sequenced using 16S rRNA gene analysis. Diversity metrics, differential abundance testing (LEfSe), and pathway prediction (PICRUSt2) were performed. Diagnostic performance was evaluated with ROC curves, and associations with clinical parameters were assessed via regression models.ResultsBeta diversity revealed significant compositional differences between fecal and mucosal samples (p = 0.001), with mucosal samples showing higher enrichment of CRC-associated taxa. Fusobacterium, Prevotella 9, Parvimonas, and Holdemanella were significantly enriched in pre-surgical samples and declined after surgery (p < 0.01). Combined microbial markers yielded an AUC of 0.841 for distinguishing pre- from post-surgical status. Functional predictions indicated upregulation of amino acid metabolism and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis pathways in pre-surgical samples. Notably, Fusobacterium abundance correlated with TNM stage (p = 0.028), and Prevotella 9 abundance decreased with age (p = 0.006).ConclusionThis study highlights distinct microbial and functional signatures in CRC, particularly from mucosal samples, which offer deeper insights into tumor-microbiota interactions. The identified microbial markers and enriched pathways may contribute to immune modulation and tumor progression. These findings support the potential for microbiome-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies tailored to Korean CRC patients and underscore the importance of dual-sample analysis in microbiome research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ef09604b7d24baf80e17b94e86a86fe |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2234-943X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ef09604b7d24baf80e17b94e86a86fe2025-08-20T02:35:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15788611578861Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patientsYounggwang Kim0Min Ki Kim1Sanghun Lee2Sanghun Lee3Sanghun Lee4Department of Bioconvergence & Engineering, Graduate School, Dankook University, Yongin-si, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Surgery, Hallym Hospital, Incheon, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Bioconvergence & Engineering, Graduate School, Dankook University, Yongin-si, Republic of KoreaNH Natural Product Institute, Myongji Hospital, Goyang-si, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United StatesBackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly linked to gut microbiome dysbiosis. However, few studies have examined tumor-associated microbial dynamics in Korean CRC patients using both mucosal and fecal samples.MethodsWe analyzed paired fecal and mucosal samples from 30 Korean CRC patients aged 60–80 years before and after surgery. Microbial DNA was sequenced using 16S rRNA gene analysis. Diversity metrics, differential abundance testing (LEfSe), and pathway prediction (PICRUSt2) were performed. Diagnostic performance was evaluated with ROC curves, and associations with clinical parameters were assessed via regression models.ResultsBeta diversity revealed significant compositional differences between fecal and mucosal samples (p = 0.001), with mucosal samples showing higher enrichment of CRC-associated taxa. Fusobacterium, Prevotella 9, Parvimonas, and Holdemanella were significantly enriched in pre-surgical samples and declined after surgery (p < 0.01). Combined microbial markers yielded an AUC of 0.841 for distinguishing pre- from post-surgical status. Functional predictions indicated upregulation of amino acid metabolism and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis pathways in pre-surgical samples. Notably, Fusobacterium abundance correlated with TNM stage (p = 0.028), and Prevotella 9 abundance decreased with age (p = 0.006).ConclusionThis study highlights distinct microbial and functional signatures in CRC, particularly from mucosal samples, which offer deeper insights into tumor-microbiota interactions. The identified microbial markers and enriched pathways may contribute to immune modulation and tumor progression. These findings support the potential for microbiome-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies tailored to Korean CRC patients and underscore the importance of dual-sample analysis in microbiome research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1578861/fullcolorectal cancergut microbiotamucosal microbiotaFusobacteriumParvimonasPrevotella 9 |
| spellingShingle | Younggwang Kim Min Ki Kim Sanghun Lee Sanghun Lee Sanghun Lee Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients Frontiers in Oncology colorectal cancer gut microbiota mucosal microbiota Fusobacterium Parvimonas Prevotella 9 |
| title | Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients |
| title_full | Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients |
| title_fullStr | Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients |
| title_short | Comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in Korean colorectal cancer patients |
| title_sort | comparative microbiome analysis of paired mucosal and fecal samples in korean colorectal cancer patients |
| topic | colorectal cancer gut microbiota mucosal microbiota Fusobacterium Parvimonas Prevotella 9 |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1578861/full |
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