Research progress of intestinal microbiota in targeted therapy and immunotherapy of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive tract, with increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide, and is the third most common malignancy in the world. At present, the main treatment methods for CRC include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Regulation of the gut microbiota is one of the most promising new strategies for CRC treatment. Gut microbiota interacts with host cells to regulate many physiological processes, such as energy acquisition, metabolism, and immune responses. Recent studies have found that a combination of gut microbiota with targeted therapy and immunotherapy could improve the therapeutic effect of colon cancer compared with treatment alone. This article reviews the mechanism of microbiota regulation in CRC and the latest progress of intestinal microbiota in targeted therapy and immunotherapy of CRC, which is helpful in developing potential prevention or treatment strategies for colorectal cancer.