Application of Foodomics within the field of colorectal cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health challenge with high incidence and mortality rates. Foodomics, an interdisciplinary field combining food science with omics technologies, offers a comprehensive approach to understanding diet–CRC interactions. This review highlights the role of Foodomics in CRC prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. For prevention, Foodomics identifies bioactive dietary components such as quercetin in apples and curcumin in turmeric that can modulate gene expression and signaling pathways to reduce cancer risk. In diagnosis, metabolomics and transcriptomics are used to identify biomarkers like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and specific gene transcripts (e.g., SEPT9, GSTM3) that can serve as indicators for CRC presence, enabling non-invasive screening. For treatment, Foodomics integrates personalized nutrition with targeted therapies, enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy and modulating the tumor microenvironment through dietary interventions. Despite challenges in data standardization and clinical translation, Foodomics holds great promise for advancing CRC management through precision nutrition and optimized dietary interventions. Future directions include developing standardized protocols for data analysis, validating Foodomics-based interventions through clinical trials, and training healthcare professionals in Foodomics applications.