Abstract
Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is frequently detected in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and matching metastasis, and has been linked to a worse prognosis. We investigated the presence of F. nucleatum in gastric cancer (GC) and gastric preneoplastic conditions of the stomach, and its potential prognostic value in GC patients. Fusobacterium spp. and F. nucleatum were quantified in various specimens from gastrointestinal tract including paired CRC and GC tissues using probe-based qPCR. Fusobacterium spp. and F. nucleatum were more frequently found in tumorous tissue of CRC and GC compared to non-tumorous tissues. The frequency and bacterial load were higher in CRC compared to GC patients. F. nucleatum positivity showed no association to chronic gastritis or preneoplastic conditions such as intestinal metaplasia. F. nucleatum-positivity was associated with significantly worse overall survival in patients with Lauren’s diffuse type, but not with intestinal type GC. There was no association with gender, Helicobacter pylori-status, tumor stage or tumor localization. However, F. nucleatum was positively associated with patient’s age and a trend for a lower global long interspersed element-1 DNA methylation. In conclusion, our work provides novel evidence for clinical relevance of F. nucleatum in GC by showing an association between F. nucleatum positivity with worse prognosis of patients with Laurens’s diffuse type gastric cancer. Further studies are necessary to explore related mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic benefit of targeted antibiotic treatment in GC patients.
Highlights
Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is frequently detected in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and matching metastasis, and has been linked to a worse prognosis
We confirm that Fusobacterium spp. and F. nucleatum are more frequently detectable in T-CRC than in N-CRC and F. nucleatum load correlates significantly between tumorous and nontumorous tissues
Only limited data is available on the role of F. nucleatum in gastric cancer (GC) and gastric preneoplastic conditions
Summary
Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is frequently detected in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and matching metastasis, and has been linked to a worse prognosis. Our work provides novel evidence for clinical relevance of F. nucleatum in GC by showing an association between F. nucleatum positivity with worse prognosis of patients with Laurens’s diffuse type gastric cancer. F. nucleatum is found in tumorous tissues at higher bacterial load in comparison to adjacent non-tumorous m ucosa[8,11]. It has been traced from primary tumours to liver metastases and was associated with a worse prognosis, suggesting its potential role in carcinogenesis and possible therapeutic translational implications[12]. F. nucleatum has been correlated with expression of proinflammatory genes, lower CD3+ T-cell density and increased TNF-α gene expression in CRC1 4–16
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
