Comparative microbial signatures and functional profiles across gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a significant global health challenge due to their higher incidence and death rates. Recent studies have highlighted the role of gut microbial dysbiosis in the progression of GI cancers. However, the interactions remain poorly understood. This study analyzed the taxonomic composition of gut microbiota and its association across GI cancer cohorts (COAD, READ, STAD, and ESCA). Microbial abundance was studied at the genus and the species levels. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to identify key pathways associated with tumor-specific microbial alterations. The findings revealed that Bacteroides was the dominant genus across tumor and normal tissues, while tumor samples exhibited an increased abundance of pathogenic genera such as Fusobacterium, Prevotella , and Streptococcus . Functional analysis demonstrated that tumor-associated microbiota influences epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammatory signaling. Further research is needed to validate these interactions through in vivo models and multi-omics studies for developing microbiome-based treatment strategies.