Microbial networking in cancer: when two toxins collide

Br J Cancer. 2018 May;118(11):1407-1409. doi: 10.1038/s41416-018-0101-2. Epub 2018 May 18.

Abstract

A recent study by Dejea et al. has demonstrated that two enterotoxigenic bacteria frequently associated with sporadic colorectal cancer, Bacteroides fragilis and pks+ Escherichia coli, are found together in biofilms on tissue from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. In preclinical mouse models, these two bacteria and their corresponding toxins work synergistically to promote colon cancer.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli*
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Toxins*
  • Biofilms
  • Colorectal Neoplasms*
  • Humans
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • Mice

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Metalloendopeptidases