SARS-CoV-2-associated gut microbiome alteration; A new contributor to colorectal cancer pathogenesis

Abstract

The emergence of a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in December 2019 led to a global pandemic with more than 170 million confirmed infections and more than 6 million deaths (by July 2022). Studies have shown that infection with SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients has a higher mortality rate than in people without cancer. Here, we have reviewed the evidence showing that gut microbiota plays an important role in health and is linked to colorectal cancer development. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to a change in gut microbiota, which modify intestinal inflammation and barrier permeability and affects tumor-suppressor or oncogene genes, proposing SARS-CoV-2 as a potential contributor to CRC pathogenesis.

Keywords: COVID-19; Colorectal cancer; Gut microbiome.

Fig. 1

Thoroughly shows the negative and positive correlation between gut microbiome composition with immune system dysregulation and GI-affected symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Fig. 2

Shows the shape of the Covid-19 virus and its constituent parts and how healthy colon cells become cancerous after Covid-19 infection.

Fig. 3

Shows that the COVID-19 virus affects the microbial composition, leading to dysregulation of TLR signaling and butyrate production, ultimately leading to unbalanced interleukin secretion and CRC development.