Fig. 1: Gut microbiome landscape in colorectal cancer.

This figure illustrates the interactions between CRC-associated microbial taxa, their bioactive metabolites, and genotoxins, integrated into four major pathogenic axes: endocrine, neural, metabolic, and immune. It highlights how dysbiosis drives DNA damage, chronic inflammation, metabolic rewiring, epithelial barrier disruption, and tumor microenvironment remodeling, ultimately promoting colorectal tumor initiation and progression. Key representative taxa and molecular effectors are indicated in each pathway.