Colorectal cancer: The epigenetic role of microbiome

Figure 1 The way gut microbiota induces CRC. Several factors affecting the normal behavior of microbiota such as low fiber and high-fat diets. This change might affect the number/types of gut bacteria or cause them to express different kinds of proteins and metabolites. A category of these metabolites could be oncogenic (oncometabolites) and trigger inflammation in gut epithelial cells leading to cancer initiation. Bacterial metabolites also could enhance cancer spreading and metastasis. CRC: Colorectal cancer.