The "oral-gut axis" transmission of microorganisms in colorectal cancer: Insights from Peptostreptococcus' perspective.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is linked to gut microecological imbalances, and increasing evidence suggests that oral-gut microecosystem aberrant interactions also significantly contribute to CRC pathogenesis. The emerging "oral-gut axis" offers novel perspectives into the cross-organ microbial regulation. Notably, the oral bacterium Peptostreptococcus exhibits spatiotemporal specificity during CRC progression and may modulate gut microecology and CRC via this axis. This review examines the oral-gut microecological interplay and teases apart the multidimensional associations between Peptostreptococcus (e.g. Peptostreptococcus stomatis, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius) and CRC, including their heterogeneity across CRC patient groups and their dynamic evolution and spatial distribution during the "adenoma-carcinoma" sequence. It summarizes mechanisms whereby Peptostreptococcus influences CRC by promoting tumor cell proliferation, inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and reshaping the tumor microenvironment. It also categorizes the key technologies in this field. Furthermore, this review highlights Peptostreptococcus's potential as a CRC biomarker and therapeutic target, proposing future intervention strategies targeting oral-derived microbes to stimulate further research.