A prominent mucinous phenotype is observed in 10–15% of all colorectal cancers (CRCs). They are associated with a proximal location, and more commonly observed among tumors with mismatch repair defects and a promoter CpG methylator phenotype. However, none of these features has been clearly linked mechanistically to this mucinous subtype. Here, we propose that bacterial biofilms could represent a currently unappreciated contributor to mucinous CRC formation. The colonic microbiome and biofilms in particular, are emerging as important factors in tumor initiation and progression. Intriguingly, biofilms preferentially accompany proximal tumors, suggesting that there may be a direct mechanistic link with mucinous CRCs.

在所有大肠癌（CRC）的10-15％中观察到突出的粘液表型。它们与近端位置相关，并且在具有错配修复缺陷和启动子CpG甲基化子表型的肿瘤中更常见。然而，这些特征中没有一个在机械上明确地与该粘液亚型相关。在这里，我们建议细菌生物膜可能代表粘液CRC形成目前尚未赞赏的贡献者。特别是结肠微生物组和生物膜正在成为肿瘤起始和进展的重要因素。有趣的是，生物膜优先伴随近端肿瘤，这表明与粘液性CRC可能存在直接的机械联系。