Gut microbiota and cancer-associated malnutrition

Cancer-associated malnutrition (CAM) is a great threat to the survive and life quality of patients with cancer. Several mechanisms have been elucidated in the occurrence and development of CAM. In recent decades, roles of the disordered gut microbiota in the malignant tumor and the malnutrition drew more and more attention. However, study on the correlation between gut microbiota with CAM still remains in its infancy. This review demonstrates the trigger for the CAM resulting from the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota induced by the nutrition deficiency or excess and the alleviation of CAM by the modulation of the gut microbiota. The underlying mechanisms of the gut microbiota in the aggravation or amelioration of CAM are also discussed. Further study is still warranted in the roles of the gut microbiota in the influence of CAM.