Temporal network analysis of gut microbiota unveils aging trajectories associated with colon cancer.

The human gut microbiome's role in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis has gained increasing recognition. This study aimed to delineate the microbiome characteristics that distinguish CRC patients from healthy individuals, while also evaluating the influence of aging, through a comprehensive metagenomic approach. The study analyzed a cohort of 80 CRC patients and 80 matched healthy controls, dividing participants into a normal and a CRC group, further categorized by age into young, middle-aged, and old-aged subgroups. Extensive metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples allowed for the exploration of both the structural and functional profiles of the microbiome, with findings validated in an independent cohort to ensure robustness. Our results highlight notable differences in microbiome composition between CRC patients and healthy individuals, which exhibit age-dependent variations. Specifically, a higher prevalence of pathogenic bacteria, such as IMPORTANCE: This study underscores the critical role of the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis, particularly in the context of aging. By identifying age-specific microbial biomarkers and functional pathways associated with CRC, our findings provide novel insights into how microbiome composition and metabolic activities influence disease progression. These discoveries pave the way for developing personalized microbiome-based diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies, potentially improving CRC prevention and treatment outcomes across different age groups. Understanding these microbial dynamics could also inform interventions targeting gut microbiota to mitigate CRC risk and progression.