Expansion of a bacterial operon during cancer treatment ameliorates drug toxicity (Updated October 15, 2024).

The article discusses a study that explores the impact of a bacterial operon on drug toxicity during colorectal cancer treatment. The research reveals significant shifts in gut microbial communities and gene abundance during treatment, highlighting the role of the preTA operon in inactivating the active metabolite 5-fluorouracil. The findings suggest a clinically relevant interaction between human gut bacteria and the side effects of cancer treatment, with potential implications for other drugs and host-microbiome interactions in disease contexts. [Extracted from the article]