Is E.coli Involved in Bowel Cancer

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death. Studies have been conducted to determine the relationship between cancer and microbes. Microbiomes are collections of microbes, such as fungi and bacteria that live in a specific part of the body. Among other functions, microbes are involved in the cause and control of diseases. Therefore, microbes play a significant role in influencing the initiation and progression of cancer; they are responsible for 10-20% of human cancer. Microbes can alter tumour microenvironments through activities that influence cancer cells since they live inside or around the tumour. Microbes such as E.coli can result in carcinogenesis as they modify the balance between “host proliferation and death (by changing the immune system and influencing metabolism).” When the mucosal barriers of cells are interfered with, microbes can alter the immune response system around the area with tumour microenvironment characteristics by triggering immunosuppressive factors and proinflammatory. Therefore, specific microbes contribute to cancer initiation and progression in various ways depending on the area of the body in which they live. Currently, there is significant debate as to whether E. coli is involved in inducing cancer. However, the discussion and evidence from existing studies support that E. coli is involved in bowel cancer, as will be discussed in this dissertation.