A network pharmacology approach to identify potential prognostic colorectal cancer biomarkers associated with gut microbiome metabolites

Trigger Jon B. Balitang; Carl James L. Padua; Mer-Hamid Ali D. Abuat; Jodelyn B. Melegrito; Ma. Easter Joy V. Sajo

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 (January to June 2026)

PSL%202021 vol14-no01-p12-28-Mikita%20and%20Padlan

SciEnggJ. 2026 19 (1) 110-116
available online: 03 March 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54645/2026191GIZ-73

*Corresponding author
Email Address: mvsajo@up.edu.ph
Date received: 17 November 2025
Date revised: 19 February 2026
Date accepted: 01 March 2026

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ARTICLE

A network pharmacology approach to identify potential prognostic colorectal cancer biomarkers associated with gut microbiome metabolites

Trigger Jon B. Balitang¹, Carl James L. Padua¹, Mer-Hamid Ali D. Abuat¹, Jodelyn B. Melegrito¹, and Ma. Easter Joy V. Sajo*²

¹Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City, Benguet, 2600 Philippines

²Philippine Genome Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Philippines

KEYWORDS: colorectal cancer, gut microbiome metabolites, network pharmacology, survival analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is more challenging to treat as it progresses. Its progression may be influenced by various gut microbiome metabolites (GMMs). To expand treatment options for CRC, GMM-associated genes may serve as biomarkers for CRC prognosis. Using network pharmacology, this study aimed to identify GMM- and CRC-associated genes with prognostic value. Genes and GMMs were curated from online databases. KEGG pathway enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that these genes are associated with CRC-related cellular signaling mechanisms, namely, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, among others. Survival analysis of TCGA-COAD and TCGA-READ patient cohorts showed five genes, including CXCL8, HDAC2, PTGS2, MET, and PGR as genes that may predict prognosis. Phenylpyruvic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfate showed the most favorable binding affinities for their respective proteins, CXCL8 and HDAC2. Overall, this study suggests that the GMM-associated genes CXCL8 and HDAC2 may play roles in CRC development and progression.