Study of gut microbiota in cholangiocarcinoma patients

Aim . To analyze the taxonomic composition of the intestinal microbiota in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and compare it to individuals without oncopathology. Materials and methods . The study included patients with histologically verified cholangiocarcinoma (n = 30) and a control group (n = 27). An integrated approach was used, including clinical and anamnestic, laboratory, and instrumental methods. The intestinal microbiota was studied through amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Results . The assessment of alpha- and beta-diversity of the microbiota in patients with CCA did not show any significant differences compared to the control group. However, a comparative analysis revealed changes in the representation of a number of microorganisms at different taxonomic levels, including a higher content of Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group in patients with CCA. Additionally, bacteria that influence the change in the global balance of microorganisms were identified in both groups, such as [Ruminococcus]_torques_group , Subdoligranulum , Parasutterella , unclassified Firmicutes in samples of patients with CCA and Oscillospiraceae and Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-006 in the control group. Conclusion . The study found a number of significant differences in bacterial representation between patients with cholangiocarcinoma and control group participants. Further research on the intestinal microbiota has the potential to develop non-invasive tools for early diagnosis of CCA.