Intratumoral microbiota-host gene associations characterize stage-associated microecological patterns in colorectal cancer

Introduction

Intratumoral microbiota are emerging as important ecological components of the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment. However, their stage-associated patterns and coordination with host gene expression remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize stage-associated associations between intratumoral microbiota and the host transcriptome in CRC.