Despite the emerging role of the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer (CRC), its significance in early-onset CRC (EOCRC, < 50 y) versus late-onset CRC (LOCRC) and the molecular differences between prox Show more
Despite the emerging role of the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer (CRC), its significance in early-onset CRC (EOCRC, < 50 y) versus late-onset CRC (LOCRC) and the molecular differences between proximal and distal CRC remain poorly understood. To circumvent the logistical and patient compliance challenges of stool collection, we explored the utility of anal swabs as a convenient alternative for characterizing gut microbiome signatures in CRC. We profiled the CRC microbiome using anal swabs ( Show less