Priego-Parra BA, Remes-Troche JM. Bidirectional relationship between gastrointestinal cancer and depression: The key is in the microbiota-gut-brain axis. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30(48): 5104-5110 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i48.5104]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Bryan Adrian Priego-Parra, MD, PhD, Research Scientist, Digestive Physiology and Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Médico-Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Iturbide S/N Entre Carmen Serdán y 20 de Noviembre, Col. Centro, Veracruz 91700, Mexico. bryanpriegop@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2024; 30(48): 5104-5110 Published online Dec 28, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i48.5104
Bidirectional relationship between gastrointestinal cancer and depression: The key is in the microbiota-gut-brain axis
Bryan Adrian Priego-Parra, Jose Maria Remes-Troche
Bryan Adrian Priego-Parra, Jose Maria Remes-Troche, Digestive Physiology and Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Médico-Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz 91700, Mexico
Author contributions: Priego-Parra BA and Remes-Troche JM contributed equally to the overall concept, writing, editing, and manuscript review; All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this work.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Bryan Adrian Priego-Parra, MD, PhD, Research Scientist, Digestive Physiology and Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Médico-Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Iturbide S/N Entre Carmen Serdán y 20 de Noviembre, Col. Centro, Veracruz 91700, Mexico. bryanpriegop@gmail.com
Received: August 6, 2024 Revised: October 23, 2024 Accepted: November 4, 2024 Published online: December 28, 2024 Processing time: 114 Days and 20.2 Hours
Abstract
In this Editorial, we review the recent publication in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, which explores the complex relationship between depression and gastric cancer and offers perspectives. Key topics discussed include the microbiota-gut-brain axis, dysbiosis, and the influence of microbial metabolites in homeostasis. Additionally, we address toxic stress caused by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, psychological assessments, and future research directions. Our Editorial aims to expand the understanding of the bidirectional relationship between depression and gastrointestinal cancer.
Core Tip: Gastrointestinal cancer and depression are intricately linked in a complex, bidirectional relationship, likely mediated by the microbiota-gut-brain axis through partially understood mechanisms. Chronic inflammation, microbiome alterations, and disruptions to intestinal and blood-brain barriers are pivotal in this interaction. Depression may emerge as a consequence of cancer diagnosis and treatment, while also accelerating cancer progression through neuroendocrine and inflammatory pathways. Early psychological assessments, combined with interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and microbiota-based therapies, can optimize clinical outcomes, enhance treatment adherence, and improve quality of life. Tailored, culturally sensitive strategies are crucial for advancing precision medicine.
