Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Dec 26, 2024; 16(12): 1110-1114
Published online Dec 26, 2024. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i12.1110
Interplay and therapeutic implications of colorectal cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment, and gut microbiota
Hui Zhang, Bo-Tao Xu, Di-Ping Luo, Tie-Fei He
Hui Zhang, Department of Emergency Surgery, Zhuji People’s Hospital, Zhuji 311800, Zhejiang Province, China
Bo-Tao Xu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhuji People’s Hospital, Zhuji 311800, Zhejiang Province, China
Di-Ping Luo, Tie-Fei He, Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhuji People’s Hospital, Zhuji 311800, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang H contributed to the conceptualization, writing, reviewing and editing of this manuscript; Xu BT wrote the original draft; Luo DP participated in the formal analysis; He TF contributed to the methodology. All authors participated in drafting the manuscript and all authors have read, contributed to, and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
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: Hui Zhang, Department of Emergency Surgery, Zhuji People’s Hospital, No. 9 Jianmin Road, Taozhu Street, Zhuji 311800, Zhejiang Province, China. 13867588467@163.com
Received: September 24, 2024
Revised: October 17, 2024
Accepted: December 3, 2024
Published online: December 26, 2024
Processing time: 79 Days and 22.4 Hours
Abstract

This article discusses the interplay between colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells, tumor microenvironment (TME), and gut microbiota, emphasizing their dynamic roles in cancer progression and treatment resistance. It highlights the adaptability of CRC stem cells, the bidirectional influence of TME, and the multifaceted impact of gut microbiota on CRC. The manuscript proposes innovative therapeutic strategies focusing on these interactions, advocating for a shift towards personalized and ecosystem-targeted treatments in CRC. The conclusion underscores the importance of continued research in these areas for developing effective, personalized therapies.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Stem cells; Tumor microenvironment; Gut microbiota; Treatment resistance; Therapeutic strategies; Personalized medicine; Cancer ecosystem; Research advancements

Core Tip: The core objective of this article is to build upon the compelling arguments presented in the review, highlighting emerging trends, and introducing fresh perspectives to delve deeper into the intricacies of the interplay among these factors. A profound understanding of this interactive relationship is of paramount importance, as it holds the key to unlocking entirely new colorectal cancer treatment strategies and significantly improving patient prognosis.