How the mouth microbe Fusobacterium nucleatum may drive colon cancer through bacterial chemicals and immune effects
Colorectal carcinogenesis and Fusobacterium nucleatum: oncomicrobe, oncometabolites, and oncoimmunology
This project looks at whether the common oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum and the molecules it produces change how colorectal cancer starts, grows, or responds to treatment in people with colorectal neoplasia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141165 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have colon polyps or cancer, researchers may ask for stool or tumor samples to check for Fusobacterium and the small molecules it makes. They will examine immune cells and tumor tissue from people to see how the bacterium affects cancer behavior. In parallel, lab models will test how bacterial factors influence tumor growth and response to chemotherapy. The combined approach links findings from human samples to experimental tests to identify mechanisms that could be targeted.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with colorectal adenomas (polyps) or colorectal cancer, or individuals willing to provide stool or tumor tissue for research, would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without colorectal disease or whose tumors lack Fusobacterium are less likely to receive direct benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new tests or treatments that prevent bacterially driven colorectal cancer or make existing therapies work better.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have repeatedly found Fusobacterium enriched in colorectal tumors and linked it to worse outcomes and chemotherapy resistance, but effective patient treatments targeting it remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garrett, Wendy S. — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Garrett, Wendy S.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.