Butyricimonas is a key gut microbiome component for predicting postoperative recurrence of esophageal cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background: Recently, intestinal bacteria have attracted attention as factors affecting the prognosis of patients with cancer. However, the intestinal microbiome is composed of several hundred types of bacteria, necessitating the development of an analytical method that can allow the use of this information as a highly accurate biomarker. In this study, we investigated whether the preoperative intestinal bacterial profile in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgery after preoperative chemotherapy could be used as biomarkers of postoperative esophageal cancer recurrence. Methods:We analyzed the gut microbiome of the patients by utilizing 16SrRNA metagenome analysis, followed by statistical analysis. Simultaneously, we conducted a machine learning analysis using a random forest model with hyperparameter tuning and compared the data obtained. Results: Statistical analysis and machine learning analysis identified two common bacterial genera, Butyricimonas and Actinomyces, which were prevalent in cases with recurrent esophageal cancer. Butyricimonasprimarily produces butyrate, while Actinomycesare oral bacteria whose function in the gut is unknown. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Butyricimonas spp. may be a biomarker of postoperative esophageal cancer recurrence. Although the extent of the involvement of these bacteria in immune regulation remains unknown, future research should also investigate their presence in other pathological conditions. Such research could potentially lead to a better understanding of their immunological impact on patients with cancer and their applications as biomarkers.