The Role of Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Gastrointestinal Carcinogenesis

Microbiota is a complex and necessary set of microorganisms inhabiting epithelial surfaces. The microbiota has a bidirectional dynamic relationship with the host and especially with the immune system. Lifestyle, medications, or other pathologies may alter eubiosis (healthy microbiota composition), causing dysbiosis (dysregulated composition). A growing body of the literature shows the potential causal role of the microbiota in the different steps of the development of several gastrointestinal cancers, with specific microbiota signature and pathways. A complete knowledge of these processes may help develop new strategies for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal neoplasia.