Secondary bile acid production by gut bacteria promotes Western diet-associated colorectal cancer - Report - MDSpire
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Gut Microbiota-Driven Secondary Bile Acid Synthesis Enhances Colorectal Cancer Risk Linked to Western Dietary Patterns

  • By

  • Annika Osswald

  • Esther Wortmann

  • David Wylensek

  • Stephanie Kuhls

  • Olivia I Coleman

  • Kenneth Peuker

  • Anne Strigli

  • Quinten R Ducarmon

  • Martin Larralde

  • Wei Liang

  • Nicole S Treichel

  • Fabian Schumacher

  • Colin Volet

  • Silke Matysik

  • Karin Kleigrewe

  • Michael Gigl

  • Sascha Rohn

  • Chun-Jun Guo

  • Burkhard Kleuser

  • Gerhard Liebisch

  • Angelika Schnieke

  • Jason M Ridlon

  • Rizlan Bernier-Latmani

  • Georg Zeller

  • Sebastian Zeissig

  • Dirk Haller

  • Krzysztof Flisikowski

  • Thomas Clavel

  • Soeren Ocvirk

  • August 1, 2026

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Clinical Report: Gut Microbiota-Driven Secondary Bile Acid Synthesis Enhances Colorectal Cancer Risk

Overview

This study demonstrates that a Western diet exacerbates colorectal tumorigenesis through increased secondary bile acid synthesis by gut microbiota, particularly deoxycholic acid (DCA).

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally, with diet and gut microbiome playing significant roles in its development. The Western diet, characterized by high fat and low fiber, has been linked to increased CRC risk, highlighting the need for understanding the underlying mechanisms, particularly the role of gut microbiota in bile acid metabolism.

Data Highlights

FindingDetails
Experimental ModelAPC 1311/+ pigs showed increased tumorigenesis on a Western diet.
Secondary Bile AcidsIncreased fecal DCA levels correlated with enhanced epithelial cell proliferation.
Colestyramine TreatmentReversed increased DCA levels and epithelial cell proliferation in pigs.
Gnotobiotic MiceColonization with 7αDH+ bacteria induced DCA production and tumor burden.
Mutant Strain7αDH− mutant strain did not increase tumor burden, confirming the role of 7αDH+ bacteria.

Key Findings

  • Western diet increases colorectal tumorigenesis in APC 1311/+ pigs.
  • Enhanced epithelial cell proliferation is linked to elevated fecal DCA levels.
  • Colestyramine can reverse the effects of increased DCA on epithelial proliferation.
  • Specific 7αDH+ bacteria can induce DCA production and increase tumor burden in gnotobiotic mice.
  • 7αDH− mutant strains do not contribute to tumorigenesis, indicating a causal role for 7αDH+ bacteria.

Clinical Implications

Monitoring secondary bile acid levels, particularly DCA, may be beneficial in assessing CRC risk in individuals with Western dietary patterns.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for the role of gut microbiota-driven secondary bile acid synthesis in colorectal cancer risk associated with Western diets.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
  2. The ASCO Post — Decreased Diversity of Gut Bacteria Associated With  Risk of Colorectal Cancer
  3. Frontiers in Oncology — The gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: role in cytokine regulation, intestinal immune barrier dysfunction
  4. Journal of Gastroenterology — The Interplay of Diet, Microbiota, and Genetic Factors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Development
  5. Frontiers in Immunology — Multidimensional exploration of the relationship between gut microbiota and colorectal cancer: focus on clinical tumorigenesis and treatment
  6. Decreased Diversity of Gut Bacteria Associated With Risk of Colorectal Cancer
  7. The gut microbiota in colorectal cancer: role in cytokine regulation, intestinal immune barrier dysfunction
  8. The Interplay of Diet, Microbiota, and Genetic Factors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Development
  9. Colorectal Cancer Guideline | How Often to Have Screening Tests | American Cancer Society
  10. Plant-based diet and colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies - ScienceDirect
  11. Secondary bile acid production by gut bacteria promotes Western diet-associated colorectal cancer | Gut

Original Source(s)

Secondary bile acid production by gut bacteria promotes Western diet-associated colorectal cancer

  • by Annika Osswald, Esther Wortmann, David Wylensek, Stephanie Kuhls, Olivia I Coleman, Kenneth Peuker, Anne Strigli, Quinten R Ducarmon, Martin Larralde, Wei Liang, Nicole S Treichel, Fabian Schumacher, Colin Volet, Silke Matysik, Karin Kleigrewe, Michael Gigl, Sascha Rohn, Chun-Jun Guo, Burkhard Kleuser, Gerhard Liebisch, Angelika Schnieke, Jason M Ridlon, Rizlan Bernier-Latmani, Georg Zeller, Sebastian Zeissig, Dirk Haller, Krzysztof Flisikowski, Thomas Clavel, Soeren Ocvirk

  • August 1, 2026

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