Distinct gut microbiota alterations in patients with early‐stage and advanced‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Gut microbiota (GM) alterations play a key role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, little is known about the changes in GM diversity during the progression of HCC. Thus, we analyzed the differences in the fecal microbiota of patients with early‐stage and advanced‐stage HCC. This cross‐sectional study examined stool samples from adults with early‐stage HCC (n = 31) and advanced‐stage HCC (n = 44). The taxonomic composition of the GM was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of stool samples. There was no significant difference in the alpha‐diversity of the GM between groups; however, beta‐diversity was significantly different between the early‐stage and advanced‐stage groups. Further analysis indicated that the genus Veillonella, family Enterobacteriaceae, order Enterobactriales, and class Gammaproteobacteria were more abundant in the advanced‐stage group than the early‐stage group. Patients with early‐stage and advanced‐stage HCC exhibit different patterns of GM diversity. Furthermore, specific taxa—including Veillonella, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriales, and Gammaproteobacteria—are enriched in patients with advanced‐stage HCC.