The gut-liver axis: exploring microbial dysbiosis and specific biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma
A specific gut bacterial signature distinguishes liver cancer patients with high accuracy, positioning microbiome analysis as a future screening approach.
Meta-analysis of 13 studies identified a cross-site microbial signature achieving AUC 0.96 for HCC discrimination in liver microbiota, with Mendelian randomization supporting a causal role for Streptococcus in HCC development. Results position microbiome biomarkers as a promising HCC screening approach awaiting prospective validation.
What the study was
- Study design
- Integrative bioinformatics meta-analysis (13 studies, 16S rRNA + MR)
- Population
- HCC patients vs controls (607 fecal, 263 liver tissue)
- Sample size
- 870
- Category
- Early Detection
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- AMB Express
Why it surfaced
MR-supported cross-site HCC microbiome biomarkers with AUC 0.96; requires prospective clinical validation.
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