The Role of Gut Microbiota and Genotypic Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: Mechanisms, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Implications

The gut microbiota includes a diverse community of microorganisms, including both beneficial and pathogenic species that play a crucial role in human health and disease. Emerging evidence highlights its involvement in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis through multiple mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, bacterial virulence factors, genotoxic compounds, metabolic alterations, and biofilm formation. CRC remains a major global health burden and is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Recent studies have implicated Fusobacterium nucleatum as a key contributor to CRC progression, facilitating tumor cell proliferation through var-ious virulence-associated mechanisms. Furthermore, the molecular mutations, which have a direct impact on proliferation of CRC, especially KRAS mutations that approximately shape around 60% of CRC cases. This re-view aims to elucidate the role of gut microbiota, molecular mutations in cancer, with a particular focus on CRC, detailing the molecular pathways involved in tumor initiation and progression. Additionally, we discussed the mechanisms by which F. nucleatum promotes CRC as well as how genotypic biomarkers are being utilized to en-hance our understanding of cancer biology, establish prognostic markers, and forecast therapeutic success.