Dissecting the interaction among the intestinal microbiota, obesity and colon cancer development (DiaMOnD)

Background Colorectal cancer is one of the most common human cancer. Obesity, genetic predisposition and the intestinal microbiota are well known risk factors for colorectal cancer, but the mechanisms defining their role in colon carcinogenesis need to be elucidated. Both obesity and colon cancer are associated with intestinal dysbiosis. Hypothesis We propose that the interaction among obesity, inherited predisposition (determined by colon cancer inherited syndromes) and colon cancer is represented by the intestinal microbiota. Aims This study is expected to identify the molecular mechanisms that pave this interaction.