Gut Microbiota, Fusobacteria, and Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

The gut microbiota has emerged as an environmental contributor to colorectal cancer (CRC) in both animal models and human studies. It is now generally accepted that bacteria are ubiquitous colonizers of all exposed human body surfaces, including the entire alimentary tract (5). Recently, the concept that a normal bacterial microbiota is essential for the development of inflammation-induced carcinoma has emerged from studies of well-known colonic bacterial microbiota. This review explores the evidence for a role of fusobacteria, an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium that has repeatedly been detected at colorectal tumor sites in higher abundance than surrounding histologically normal tissue. Mechanistic studies provide insight on the interplay between fusobacteria, other gut microbiota, barrier functions, and host responses. Studies have shown that fusobacteria activate host inflammatory responses designed to protect against pathogens that promote tumor growth. We discuss how future research identifying the pathophysiology underlying fusobacteria colon colonization during colorectal cancer may lead to new therapeutic targets for cancer. Furthermore, disease-protective strategies suppressing tumor development by targeting the local tumor environment via bacteria represent another exciting avenue for researchers and are highlighted in this review.

Distinct Types of Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Hospitalized Gastroenterological Patients Are Disease Non-related and Characterized With the Predominance of Either Enterobacteriaceae or Enterococcus

“…Microbiota association with gastrointestinal diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Ni et al, 2017;Sun et al, 2019), colorectal cancer (Kelly et al, 2018;De Almeida et al, 2019), and different infections (Lazar et al, 2018) has been extensively investigated. Usually the research is focused on the characterization of the bacterial community; however the remaining members of gut microbiota such as viruses (Kernbauer et al, 2014;Norman et al, 2015), archaea (Chehoud et al, 2015;Lewis et al, 2015), and especially fungi (mycobiota) (Liguori et al, 2016;Sokol et al, 2016) have been lately gaining in recognition.…”

<p>Adequate Lymph Node Assessments and Investigation of Gut Microorganisms and Microbial Metabolites in Colorectal Cancer</p>

“…17,18 Large numbers of studies have shown that CRC patients have characteristic microbes, including Fusobacteria, Streptococcus, and Clostridium in their intestines. [19][20][21][22] Gut microorganisms are involved in the development and progression of CRCs through many pathways such as through the induction of inflammation and biosynthesis of genotoxins. 23,24 Recent studies have suggested that the occurrence of CRCs is not only the function of a single microorganism, but also the result of the disruption of dynamic equilibrium of the gut microecology.…”

Influence of Seaweed Supplements on the Intestinal Bacteria in the Rabbitfish Siganus Fuscescens: Evidence for a Core Microbiome

“…The Fusobacterium genus includes some important human pathogens that have been implicated in diseases such as colorectal cancer [78] and have been identi ed in GI microbiomes of other commercially important, warm water sh previously [20]. Additionally, although the role of Fusobacterium sp.…”