A new study shows that colorectal cancer has a unique microbial “fingerprint” that sets it apart from other cancers.
Researchers analyzed genetic data from more than 9,000 patients and found that, unlike most cancers, colorectal tumors consistently carry distinct patterns of microbes. This means studying the microbes inside tumors could become a simple and cost-effective way to improve diagnosis and guide personalized treatment.
The study also found that whole genome sequencing can detect infections such as HPV and the rare HTLV-1 more accurately than some current tests. In addition, certain bacteria were linked to better or worse survival in cancers like sarcoma, suggesting microbes could help predict patient outcomes. As genome sequencing becomes more common in hospitals, these microbial insights could be added to routine care without significant extra cost.