Modified MAC Diet and Gut Microbiota in CRC Patients

To explore the changes in the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota during 3-weeks of modified MAC diet and conventional diet in stage I or low-risk stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after surgery. Additionally, the investigator analyze the association of gut microbiota and stool formation pattern or quality of life according to dietary pattern. Therefore, the investigator identify the beneficial or harmful microbiota composition and diversity adapting modified MAC diet that related to cancer recurrence, which provide supporting evidence for future prospective trial.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and a life-threatening disease that kills more than 500,000 people every year. It is known that, environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer due to large differences in the incidence rate by region in addition to the genetic background associated with colorectal cancer. The physical activity, whole grains, dietary fiber, dairy products, and calcium supplement intake are factors that inhibit colorectal cancer, but red meat, processed meat, alcohol, and obesity act as risk factors inducing colorectal cancer. Therefore, it can be said that efforts to prevent cancer are important compared to other cancers.

A growing interest in the interaction of the gut microbiome with its host and its important role in health and disease is revealing that the interaction of the gut microbiome with humans plays an important role in the development of degenerative diseases, cancers and inflammatory diseases. According to recent studies, the risk of colorectal cancer is increased by the presence of specific gut microbiota, dysbiosis, and the interaction between diet and gut microbes. In other words, changes in diet affect the formation of the intestinal microbiota, and conversely, microorganisms mediate the generation of dietary factors that cause colorectal cancer.

In addition, microorganisms such as Fusobacterium nucleatum regulate autophagy and play a role in making it resistant to chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery, or whole grains in colorectal cancer patients with Fusobacterium nucleatum in tumor tissue. However, a cohort study has also reported that consuming a diet rich in dietary fiber helps to lower the incidence of colorectal cancer.

Diet and nutrients play a decisive role in the composition of the intestinal microflora involved in the regulation of inflammation and immune responses.

Microbiota-Accessible Carbohydrates (MAC) refer to carbohydrates that the human intestine cannot digest, but that can be digested by intestinal microbes. It is not decomposed and not absorbed in the stomach or small intestine, and then broken down in the large intestine and then digested and metabolized by the intestinal microflora. During that process, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) is produced, which is known to increase beneficial intestinal bacteria and decrease inflammation around intestinal cells.

The composition of intestinal microbes changes due to intestinal preparation before colon cancer surgery, use of prophylactic antibiotics, and tissue changes in the intestine anastomosis, which may lead to enhanced toxicity, proliferation of pathogens, and reduction of beneficial intestinal bacteria. In addition, the presence of certain microorganisms may lead to complications such as anastomotic leakage or infection at the surgical site.

Thanks to the development of various genomic research techniques, there is a difference in the composition of intestinal microbes between colorectal cancer patients and healthy people, and the microbiome affects the development of adenoma or cancer as the number of beneficial bacteria decreases, the harmful bacteria changes in terms of age.

In this study, a modified MAC diet designed to adapt to a high-fiber diet after surgery and a patient-made diet for stage 1-2 colorectal cancer patients who do not receive chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery using the genomic analysis technique The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of diet on the composition of the intestinal microflora, and to analyze whether the different diet affects the pattern of defecation after colorectal cancer surgery, and the effect of these changes on the quality of life after colorectal cancer surgery.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically or cytologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma patients after curative surgery without post-operative chemotherapy (stage I and low-risk stage II)
2. Male of female participants over the age of 19
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score 0-2
4. Capable of giving signed informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form and in this protocol
5. Adequate hematologic and end-organ function

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with temporary/permanent stoma after surgery
2. Diagnosed with locally advanced stage (more than high-risk stage II) colorectal cancer which require postoperative chemotherapy after surgery
3. Diagnosed with metastatic stage IV colorectal cancer after surgery
4. Uncontrolled diabetes (glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) \> 8.0 g/dl)
5. Active infection requiring antibiotics, antifungal or antiviral agents or received a course of antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to study treatments
6. Known history of food allergy
7. Known history of uncontrolled intercurrent illness including but not limited to: Infection/inflammation; severe liver dysfunction; bilateral interstitial lung disease; uncontrolled kidney disease; clinically significant (active) cardiovascular and pulmonary disease; hemorrhagic disease; inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction; Inability to swallow food; social and psychological problems etc.)
8. Other medical and psychiatric conditions that would prohibit the understanding or rendering of informed consent which affect study compliance