Gut Microbiota Dynamics Linking Obesity and Colorectal Cancer: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Preventive Strategies

The study of the gut microbiota represents a rapidly evolving field interface of metabolic regulation, immune homeostasis, and oncogenesis. Over the past decade, research has revealed that the microbial communities populating the human intestine are not passive inhabitants, but active regulators of host physiology, influencing immune function, energy metabolism, and inflammatory responses. In obesity, a condition characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation, altered adipokine signaling, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction, the intestinal microbiota undergoes shifts that may amplify systemic and local disturbances within the gut microenvironment. Increasing evidence links these alterations to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that disrupted microbial ecosystems may contribute to carcinogenic processes through impaired mucosal barrier function, altered production of microbial metabolites, bile acid dysregulation, genotoxic microbial activity, and modulation of antitumor immune responses. Despite major advances, the precise molecular and causal connections among these factors remain incompletely understood. This knowledge gap underscores the need for integrated mechanistic, clinical, and translational investigations capable of clarifying how microbiome-related pathways influence CRC risk in individuals with obesity.This Research Topic aims to consolidate emerging insights into the role of gut microbiota dynamics across the continuum from obesity to colorectal cancer. It seeks to bridge knowledge from microbiology, oncology, immunology, and metabolism to identify how microbial composition, functionality, and host interactions contribute to colorectal tumorigenesis in obese individuals. Specific goals include identifying key microbial taxa and functional signatures associated with CRC risk, elucidating the role of microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and tryptophan-derived metabolites, and clarifying cause–effect relationships through longitudinal, experimental, and multi-omics approaches.In addition, this Research Topic will explore microbiota-targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies, including dietary modulation, lifestyle interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and other approaches aimed at restoring microbial and metabolic homeostasis. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, this topic seeks to build a comprehensive understanding that can inform risk stratification, early detection, prevention, and adjunctive therapeutic strategies relevant to both metabolic and oncological health.To gather further insights into the mechanisms that link obesity and colorectal cancer through microbial modulation, we welcome studies encompassing experimental, clinical, and computational approaches. Articles may include original research, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives and all type of articles accepted by the journal. Contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes are encouraged:o Gut microbiota composition and functional dynamics in obesity and CRCo Microbial metabolites and their mechanistic roles in carcinogenesiso Dietary and lifestyle influences on gut microbiota in the context of obesity and cancer preventiono Host–microbiome immune crosstalk and its contribution to tumour developmento Probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic therapies for modulating CRC risk in obesityo Integration of multi-omics data linking microbial and host metabolic networkso Identification and validation of microbiome-based biomarkers for early CRC detection in obese populations Topic editors: Julio Plaza-Diaz, Chao Wang, Zheng Ruan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82001/gut-microbiota-dynamics-linking-obesity-and-colorectal-cancer-mechanisms-biomarkers-and-preventive-strategies