Liver enzymes, bacteria exposure linked to colorectal cancer risk: What to know 

According to two separate studies, certain liver enzyme levels and exposure to specific bacteria may contribute to colorectal cancer risk.

The first study, published Sept. 9 by Epic Research, found that adults under 45 with low levels of two common liver enzymes face a higher likelihood of early-onset colorectal cancer. 

The second, published Sept. 8 in eGastroenterology, found that Helicobacter pylori exposure may meaningfully contribute to the global colorectal cancer burden.

Here are five things to know from the studies:

1. Epic researchers studied 11,469 U.S. adults ages 18-44 who underwent a first colorectal cancer screening between January 2017 and March 2025.
   
   
2. Patients with aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase liver enzyme levels below 14 U/L had a 65% and 68% higher likelihood, respectively, of an early-onset colorectal cancer diagnosis than patients whose levels were between 14 and 29 U/L.
   
   AST and ALT liver enzyme levels at 30 U/L or above were associated with a 22% and 29% lower likelihood, respectively, than levels between 14 and 29 U/L.
   
   Rising AST and ALT levels over the three years before screening were associated with a 27% and 26% lower likelihood, respectively, compared with patients whose values remained unchanged.
   
   
3. For the eGastroenterology study, researchers analyzed Global Cancer Observatory data and found that H. pylori exposure was associated with a 59% increased risk of colorectal cancer.
   
   
4. Globally, an estimated 22% of colorectal cancer cases were potentially related to H. pylori exposure.
   
   
5. H. pylori eradication was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in some studies, but only after 10 years of follow-up.

Read the Epic Research study here and the eGastroenterology study here.

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