Fusobacterium nucleatum, a key pathogenic factor and microbial biomarker for colorectal cancer

Ni Wang; Jing-Yuan Fang

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2022.08.010

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a key pathogenic factor and microbial biomarker for colorectal cancer

Trends Microbiol. 2023 Feb;31(2):159-172. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.08.010. Epub 2022 Sep 1.

Authors

Ni Wang¹, Jing-Yuan Fang²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
² Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: jingyuanfang@sjtu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36058786
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.08.010

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most prevalent cancers, has complex etiology. The dysbiosis of intestinal bacteria has been highlighted as an important contributor to CRC. Fusobacterium nucleatum, an oral anaerobic opportunistic pathogen, is enriched in both stools and tumor tissues of patients with CRC. Therefore, F. nucleatum is considered to be a risk factor for CRC. This review summarizes the biological characteristics and the mechanisms underlying the regulatory behavior of F. nucleatum in the tumorigenesis and progression of CRC. F. nucleatum as a marker for the early warning and prognostic prediction of CRC, and as a target for prevention and treatment, is also described.

Keywords: Fusobacterium nucleatum; biomarker; colorectal cancer; immune microenvironment; proliferation.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomarkers
Carcinogenesis
Colorectal Neoplasms* / microbiology
Fusobacterium nucleatum*
Humans
Virulence Factors

Substances

Virulence Factors
Biomarkers