Gut Microbiota as a Key Modulator of Chronic Disease: Implications for Diabetes, Autoimmunity, and Cancer

Abstract

The gut microbiota (GM) represents an intricate, dynamic, and complex ecosystem. It plays a key role in health and disease. The GM interacts with the host and modulates various physiological functions, including metabolism, immune regulation, and neurological function. This narrative review comprehensively analyses the role of the GM in the development and progression of three major chronic conditions, namely diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Using a structured literature search strategy across databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, relevant studies published between 2000 and 2025 were identified and analysed. This review highlights that dysbiosis contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of these chronic conditions. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), alterations in the GM are associated with systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and decreased microbial diversity. Similarly, in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), dysbiosis disrupts immune homeostasis, which in turn causes sustained inflammation and aberrant immune responses. Lastly, dysbiosis has been linked to the onset and progression of various gastrointestinal cancers through mechanisms including chronic inflammation and the production of carcinogenic metabolites. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary modifications are being explored for their potential to restore microbial balance and improve clinical outcomes. In conclusion, this review highlights the GM's pivotal role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Keywords: autoimmunity; cancer; endocrinology and diabetes; gut microbiota dysbiosis; gut-brain axis.