Metabolomic analysis reveals key changes in amino acid metabolism in colorectal cancer patients

• Published in: Amino Acids
• Main Authors: Asmaa Ramzy, Taghreed Khaled Abdelmoneim, Menna Arafat, Maha Mokhtar, Ashraf Bakkar, Amany Mokhtar, Wagida Anwar, Sameh Magdeldin, Shymaa Enany
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2025-05-01
• Subjects: Colorectal cancer; Gut microbiota; Microbial tryptophan metabolism; Metabolomics; LC–MS
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-025-03448-3

Abstract The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is steadily growing worldwide, particularly in developing nations. Nonetheless, recent advances in early detection studies and therapy alternatives have reduced CRC mortality in affluent countries, despite rising incidence. Gut microbiota and their metabolites may contribute to tumor growth and reduced therapeutic efficacy. This preliminary study sought to uncover metabolic fingerprints in colorectal cancer patients. It also emphasizes the correlation between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolism, and altered metabolites in CRC. In this study, stool samples from 20 CRC patients and matched healthy controls were enrolled. Untargeted metabolomics approach based on an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) were applied. Statistical approaches, pathway enrichment analysis, and network analysis were employed to unleash CRC perturbed metabolic pathways and putative biomarkers. The study identified a distinct manually curated metabolite profile that is substantially linked to CRC. The steroidogenesis, aspartate, tryptophan (Trp), and urea cycle were the most significant pathways that concurrently contributed to CRC.Prominently, among other pathways, Trp metabolism was identified as a critical pathway, indicating a possible connection between the development of CRC and gut microbiota. In a nutshell the notable resulted metabolites reveal auspicious biomarkers for the initial diagnosis as well as surveilling of CRC progression. This preliminary study highlights the potential involvement that gut bacteria may contribute in CRC patients. Further investigation into the composition of the gut microbiome associated with this metabolic profile may lead to the identification of novel biomarkers for early detection and possible targets for treatment.