Issues

ABOUT THE COVER
Recent studies have shown that microbiota contribute to the development of cancers. Four studies in this issue examine the relationship among microbiota, cancer preventive agents or innate immune receptors, and colorectal cancer formation. Potentially cancer preventive diets containing, first, walnuts (in a study by Chen and colleagues beginning on page 15) and, second, multi-mineral natural product Aquamin® (in a study by Aslam and colleagues beginning on page 101) altered colonic microbial communities in mice and humans, respectively. Next, anthocyanins inhibited formation of colon tumors caused by dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, in a study by Mudd and colleagues beginning on page 41. Last, Toll-like receptor-6 signalling modulated the microbiota and immune response during inflammation-associated colorectal carcinogenesis, in a study by Kim and colleagues beginning on page 25. Results from these studies suggest that alteration of microbiota composition could comprise a strategy for cancer prevention. The cover image depicts microbiota in the digestive system.