Early antibiotic use increases risk of colon cancer
An alarming increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been observed in recent years in younger populations (<50 years of age) which has triggered further research into this global health problem.(1,2)
Meta-analysis studies show that antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis caused by long-term and recurrent use of antibiotics early in life may have an association with early-onset CRC.(2,3) Additionally, a genetic analysis study revealed that people with a variant in a specific gut microbiota regulatory gene, FUT2, were found to be at a greater risk of early-onset CRC.(1)
Antibiotic-induced microbiome changes can be permanent and increase the risk for irregularities in bacterial byproducts within the gut that increase the risk of carcinogenesis.(3) This disruption of normal gut microbiome may allow for increased colonization with pathogenic bacteria, causing damage to the gut mucosa, and may ultimately lead to inflammation and tumor formation. Examples of these harmful microbes include strains of Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which may become more prevalent in the microbiome due to administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics.(2,3)
In a large genetic analysis study, individuals with genetic risk factors, such as family history of CRC, who have experienced early-life antibiotic use on a long term basis, demonstrated an increased risk of early-onset CRC.(1) It was determined that individuals with a high polygenic risk score (genetic predisposition to a particular disease) were at higher risk of early-onset CRC, further supporting the association between antibiotic use and early-onset CRC with genetic risk factors.
Factors such as family history and disruption to the normal gut microbiome should be considered before administering antibiotics early in life, as research shows an association with early-onset CRC. All in all, given that antibiotics are the first line of defense in the management of bacterial infections, it is important to consider the pros and cons when considering early-life antibiotic usage and the type of antibiotic administered.
Meet the author
SENIOR TECHNICAL SERVICES AND R&D MANAGER at HARDY DIAGNOSTICS
Anna Klavins, RAC-Devices, B.S Cellular and Molecular Biology
Anna Klavins is the Senior Technical Services and R&D Manager at Hardy Diagnostics where she oversees the Research and Development, Design and Development, Quality Control, Technical Support, and Performance Studies teams. She earned a Molecular and Cellular Biology B.S. degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo while playing for the Division I NCAA women’s tennis team. Since joining Hardy Diagnostics in mid-2016, she has authored sixteen FDA 510(k) submissions for class II microbiology in vitro diagnostic devices. She has published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, as well as presents in vitro diagnostic device performance evaluation results annually at global scientific conferences such as ASM Microbe, the AOAC Annual Meeting, and the International Association of Food Protection annual meeting. She is an advisor to the Joint CLSI-EUCAST Working Group and has earned the RAC-Devices certification.
