腸道菌群如何影響大腸癌
How Gut Bacteria May Influence Colorectal Cancer
長期以來，結直腸癌 (CRC) 主要被視為一種遺傳疾病。
For a long time, colorectal cancer (CRC) was primarily viewed as a genetic disease.
然而，研究現已顯示，我們的腸道微生物群對其發展扮演著關鍵角色。
However, research now reveals that our gut microbiome plays a critical role in its development.
健康的腸道維持平衡，但「菌群失調」(dysbiosis)——即細菌失衡——可能引發癌症。
A healthy gut maintains balance, but "dysbiosis"—an imbalance of bacteria—can trigger cancer.
科學家常以「驅動者—乘客」模型來形容：特定細菌擔任「驅動者」，透過直接損傷去氧核糖核酸 (DNA) 或引發發炎反應來作惡，而其他被稱為「乘客」的細菌則在隨之產生的腫瘤環境中滋生。
Scientists often describe a "driver-passenger" model: certain bacteria act as "drivers" by damaging DNA directly or causing inflammation, while others "passenger" bacteria thrive in the resulting tumor environment.
像具核梭桿菌 (Fusobacterium nucleatum) 這類細菌常見於結直腸癌腫瘤中，它們不僅能促進腫瘤生長，甚至會降低化學治療的效果。
Species like Fusobacterium nucleatum are frequently found in CRC tumors, where they may promote tumor growth and even make chemotherapy less effective.
重要的是，有些細菌能產生如丁酸 (butyrate) 等有益化合物以保護腸道，而另外一些則會產生有害的代謝產物。
Importantly, some bacteria produce beneficial compounds like butyrate, which protect the gut, while others generate harmful metabolites.
由於這些細菌特徵出現在糞便中，研究人員正在開發非侵入式、基於人工智慧的篩檢工具。
Because these bacterial signatures appear in stool, researchers are developing non-invasive, AI-driven screening tools.
此外，未來的治療可能會採用「微生物定型」(microbial profiling) 來實現療法個人化，並可能運用飲食、益生菌，甚至糞便移植來恢復腸道健康。
Furthermore, future treatments may involve "microbial profiling" to personalize therapies, potentially using diet, probiotics, or even fecal transplants to restore gut health.
透過了解體內的微生物生態系統，我們正在開啟各種全新的方式，以比過往任何時候更有效地預防、檢測及治療結直腸癌。
By understanding the microbial ecosystem within us, we are unlocking new ways to prevent, detect, and treat colorectal cancer more effectively than ever before.
