Association of antibiotics with tumor metastasis in colorectal cancer patients undergoing 5-fluorouracil treatment

Abstract:

Objective To analyze the influence of antibiotic therapy on tumor metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer（CRC） in Chongqing，who had undergone 5-fluorouracil（5-FU） treatment，aiming to provide novel insights and strategies regarding antibiotic usage in anticancer treatment.Methods The electronic medical records of 489 patients with CRC who underwent 5-FU treatment in seven hospitals in Chongqing from January 1，2012 to December 31，2021 were retrospectively collected. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to discern the association between antibiotic treatment and tumor metastasis in patients with CRC who underwent 5-FU treatment.Results In patients with CRC who underwent 5-FU treatment and those who underwent 5-FU treatment without being infected，the risk for tumor metastasis was reduced in patients receiving antibiotic treatment（odds ratio ［OR］=0.410，95%CI=0.201-0.857，P<0.001；OR=0.277，95%CI=0.129-0.607，P=0.001）. The possibility of tumor metastasis was higher in patients with CRC undergoing penicillin treatment than in those receiving cephalosporins treatment alone（P<0.05）.Conclusion Antibiotic treatment is a protective factor against tumor metastasis in patients with CRC. Penicillin usage during anticancer treatment may introduce potential risks. Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing penicillin in conjunction with 5-FU treatment.