The Role of <b><i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i></b> in Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent and deadly neoplasms worldwide. Genetic factors, lifestyle habits, and inflammation are important risk factors associated with CRC development. In recent years, growing evidence has supporting the significant role of the intestinal microbiome in CRC carcinogenesis. Disturbances in the healthy microbial balance, known as dysbiosis, are frequently observed in these patients. Pathogenic microorganisms that induce intestinal dysbiosis have become an important target to determine the role of bacterial infection in tumorigenesis. Interestingly, the presence of different bacterial strains, such as &lt;i&gt;Fusobacterium nucleatum&lt;/i&gt;, has been detected in tissue and stool from patients with CRC and associated with substantial clinical and molecular features, as well as with patient therapy response. Therefore, understanding how the presence and levels of &lt;i&gt;F. nucleatum&lt;/i&gt;strains in the gut affect the risk of CRC onset and progression may inform suitable candidates for interventions focused on modulation of this bacteria. Here we review new insights into the role of gut microbiota in CRC carcinogenesis and the clinical utility of using the detection of &lt;i&gt;F. nucleatum&lt;/i&gt; in different settings such as screening, prognosis, and microbiota modulation as a means to prevent cancer, augment therapies, and reduce adverse effects of treatment.

A Positive Feedback Loop of lncRNA MIR31HG-miR-361-3p -YY1 Accelerates Colorectal Cancer Progression Through Modulating Proliferation, Angiogenesis, and Glycolysis

“…Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most frequent and lethal tumors in the world, and its occurrence and development are closely related to genetic factors, dietary habits, and inflammation (1). Besides, the mortality and morbidity of CRC are high due to the inconspicuous early symptoms and high metastatic rate (2,3).…”

Beyond liquid biopsy: Toward non-invasive assays for distanced cancer diagnostics in pandemics

“…Among these, we can list the Gram-anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum , as causative agents for CRC, as has already been ascertained for Helycobacter pylori in gastric cancer. F. nucleatum is under investigation for promoting CRC growth since it induces mucin secretion and inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression, inhibits T cell-mediated immune responses against colorectal tumours and suppresses the activities of natural killer cells, thereby predisposing the host to adenomas or cancer development ( Datorre et al, 2021 ). Microbiota composition identified from stool samples amplifying the V3–V4 region of the 16S rDNA gene from DNA extracts (through Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing) could serve even as a marker of inflammation position: the flora in the left-sided colon samples, includes Clostridium perfringens and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and may be associated with VEGF expression and colon cancer through DNA damage, methylation, and histone modifications.…”

Accuracy and Clinical Relevance of Intra-Tumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum Detection in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Tissue by Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) in Colorectal Cancer

“…With several enriched or diminished species, the gut microbiota are crucial in CRC tumorigenesis [ 13 ]. Fusobacterium nucleatum ( Fn ) is a major driver of CRC tumorigenesis [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Fn is a Gram-negative bacteria and a normal constituent of the human oral cavity, where its presence is associated with periodontitis [ 18 ].…”