Abstract

Long-term diet is associated with alterations in the gut microbiome and colorectal cancer.  

Recent experimental data demonstrate that the gut microbiome may contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis through modulation of host immunity and activation of pathways associated with cellular proliferation. Prudent dietary patterns – rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – have been associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma. In contrast, Western dietary patterns – dominated by red and processed meats – have been linked with colorectal carcinogenesis. Although mechanisms underlying these diet-cancer associations remain unclear, it is postulated that the gut microbiota, including specific bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, may play a mediating role, potentially through the production of microbial metabolites such as hydrogen sulfide.

Evidence also suggests that diet influences the composition and function of the gut microbiome and metabolome. In this session, we will discuss work from our group supporting the hypothesis that diet-cancer associations may be mediated by modulation of the gut microbiome.   

Bio

Andrew T. Chan is Research Professsor at the Harvard Medical School and   gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, EE.UU..

His work is  currently focused on chronic digestive diseases, including gastrointestinal cancer (colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic), inflammatory bowel disease and  diverticulitis. He also has major effort in investigating the  gut microbiome   to elucidate the underlying mechanisms mediating associations among diet, lifestyle, and tumorigenesis. His research in colorectal cancer prevention utilize molecular approaches encompassing genetic, metabolomic, proteomic, and biochemical platforms applied to populations.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology heralded his early studies  on the reduction in risk of colorectal cancer associated with aspirin as one of the 18 most notable advances in cancer research of 2007.

Andrew T. Chan is one of the most cited biomedical researchers. He has published over 180 articles in leading medical journals in the last five years (JAMA, BMJ, Gut, Lancet, Gastroenterology, Nature, Clinical Cancer Res and others).