Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in the United States have identified a link between Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria that live in the mouth and the development of aggressive tumors in the gut. The findings appear in a study published in Nature, highlighting a potential pathway by which oral microbes influence colorectal cancer behavior.
In the investigation, scientists analyzed tumor tissue from 200 individuals with colorectal cancer and compared it with the bacterial makeup found in stool samples from people with and without the disease. The results showed a higher prevalence of a specific bacterial subtype in tumor tissues from those with colon cancer, suggesting a possible role for these microbes in tumor formation and progression.
A notable observation was that tumors containing Fusobacterium nucleatum tended to be more aggressive. Patients whose colorectal tumors harbored this bacterium experienced poorer survival outcomes and a less favorable response to treatment when compared with patients whose tumors did not contain the bacteria.
The researchers explained that Fusobacterium nucleatum naturally inhabits the mouth and nasal passages. Some strains possess genetic traits that enable them to withstand stomach acid and travel to the colon, where they may contribute to the emergence of rapidly growing tumors. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that oral bacteria can influence colorectal cancer biology and patient prognosis.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between the oral microbiome and colorectal cancer, with implications for risk assessment, prognosis, and potential new avenues for prevention and therapy. The work also invites further research into how modifying oral or gut bacteria might impact tumor behavior and treatment outcomes. This perspective aligns with a broader effort to explore the links between microbial communities and cancer progression across the body. Nature study, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center