Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41338385›Full record

ReviewJournal of advanced research2026

Intratumoral microbiota in colorectal cancer: roles, therapeutic potential, and challenges.

Xiyu Zhang, Junwen Qi, Chenhua Dong, Long Zhang, Junnan Chen, Jianquan Liu, Tao Jiang, Jun Song

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of advanced research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Xiyu ZhangAffiliated First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004 Jiangsu, China; Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China.
Junwen QiAffiliated First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004 Jiangsu, China; Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China.
Chenhua DongAffiliated First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004 Jiangsu, China; Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China.
Long ZhangAffiliated First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004 Jiangsu, China; Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China.
Junnan ChenAffiliated First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004 Jiangsu, China; Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China.
Jianquan LiuAffiliated First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004 Jiangsu, China; Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China.
Tao JiangDepartment of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221006 Jiangsu, China; Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: jt@xzhmu.edu.cn.
Jun SongDepartment of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221006 Jiangsu, China; Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002 Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: songjun@xzhmu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease characterized by disruptions in cellular and immune functions, influenced by genetic mutations, environmental factors, and infections. Recent studies have highlighted the intratumoral microbiota as a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), with a significant role in CRC initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. While the gut microbiota's influence on CRC is well-established, the specific contribution of intratumoral microbiota remains inadequately explored. Emerging evidence suggests that intratumoral microbiota may promote cancer progression through inflammatory pathways, metabolic alterations, and resistance to chemotherapy. Conversely, certain microbial communities exhibit tumor-suppressive properties by modulating immune responses and inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. AIM OF REVIEW: This review aims to highlight the dual role of the intratumoral microbiota in CRC and explore the potential of microbial interventions such as probiotics, phage therapy, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, the review examines the potential of microbiota-targeted therapies to optimize cancer treatment strategies and stresses the need for personalized approaches based on microbial biomarkers. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Intratumoral microbiota, as emerging tumor components, has been identified in various solid tumors. The review emphasizes the mechanisms by which intratumoral microbiota mediate inflammation, metabolic alterations, and immune modulation in CRC. It highlights how certain intratumoral microbiota are associated with resistance or sensitivity to treatments, and how manipulating the microbiota could enhance immunotherapy efficacy. By integrating advancements in multi-omics and clinical research, targeting the intratumoral microbiota represents a promising avenue for improving CRC therapies and overcoming treatment resistance. The clinical application of the intratumoral microbiota has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of CRC, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies in oncology.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsGastrointestinal MicrobiomeMicrobiotaTumor MicroenvironmentAnimalsFecal Microbiota TransplantationHumansProbioticsCancer treatmentColorectal cancerIntratumoral microbiotaMicrobial InterventionsTumor Microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID41338385
PMCPMC13539154

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.