An altered microbiota (dysbiosis) can play a central role in the pathogenesis of numerous intestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and are associated with colorectal cancer. An altered microbiota can play a role in promoting colitis-associated cancer through the induction of inflammation, and also through the production of toxins that create a favorable niche for tumor cells. Commensal organisms can have an enormous impact on tumorigenesis through the production of tumor-promoting genotoxins that can induce chromosomal instability. Common emulsifies such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate-80 (P80) are detergent-like molecules that are incorporated into many processes foods. It has been demonstrated that both CMC and P80 promoted microbiota encroachment and increased levels of proinflammatory flagellin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which correlated with a change in microbiota composition and intestinal inflammation. In this study researchers subjected mice to chronic exposure of CMC and P80. They reported that these agents created and maintained a proinflammatory environment in the colon, associated with alteration of the proliferation/apoptosis balance that resulted in exacerbated carcinogenesis. These changes were associated with, and dependent upon, alterations in microbiota composition and diversity that created a favorable niche for tumorigenesis, supporting the concept that a perturbed host-microbiota interaction
resulting in alteration of the intestinal homeostasis can promote colonic carcinogenesis.
Veinnois E, Merlin D, Gewirtz A, Chassaing B. Dietary Emulsifier-Induced Low-Grade Inflammation Promotes Colon Carcinogenesis. Cancer Research; 77(1)
Jan 1, 2017. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472./CAN-16-1359