Editorial on "A systematic review of microbial markers for risk prediction of colorectal neoplasia" by Yu and coauthors.

Yu and colleagues show microbial markers are correlated with CRC and to a lesser degree with adenomas. Moreover, faecal microbial markers can be isolated from quantitative fecal immunochemical test cartridges and appear to improve results. If studies become less heterogeneous, it appears feasible to apply microbial markers in screening programmes.