Microbiome-derived cobalamin and succinyl-CoA as biomarkers for improved screening of anal cancer

Abstract

Anal cancer is a leading neoplasia in people with immune impairment, but the lack of an accurate screening test challenges its prevention. Bacteria living in the anal epithelium -the anal microbiome-seem to influence cancer development, and so detecting specific microbial components could help diagnose precancerous anal lesions.Here, we aimed to discover microbial biomarkers of anal precancer in high-risk populations. We discovered twelve proteins, previously reported to be associated with cancer progression, that are more abundant in anal bacteria from subjects with precancerous lesions. Because these proteins contribute to succinyl-CoA and cobalamin production, we measured their intracellular bacterial concentrations. We found that cobalamin and succinyl-CoA were dramatically increased in the anal microbiome of patients with anal precancer and exhibited excellent diagnostic power. Furthermore, the metabolites were clearly superior to anal cytology when we compared their ability to differentiate persons with or without anal precancer.Therefore, we discovered two powerful biomarkers of anal precancer that could improve anal cancer prevention.

Distinct anal microbiome is correlated with anal cancer precursors in MSM with HIV

“…These shifts in composition may be associated with metabolic pathways that impact HPV pathogenesis. Recently, an increase in cobalamin and succinyl-CoA, which are associated with solid organ tumors, has been reported in anal samples from MSMWH with anal HSIL [ 39 ]. However, the role of an altered microbiome in increasing levels of these compounds remains to be elucidated, as does the role of these compounds in potentiating development of HSIL.…”

Entropy‐Driven Strand Displacements Around DNA Tetrahedron for Sensitive Detection and Intracellular Imaging of mRNA

“…Accurate analysis of biomarkers is critical to improve the management of patients by providing reliable information for diagnosis. [ 1 ] Currently, a range of biomarkers have been exploited including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, as well as whole cells found in the body fluids. [ 2–4 ] Messenger RNA (mRNA) conveys critical genetic information from DNA in the cell nucleus to the cytosol, which can be translated into functional proteins.…”