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Fusobacterium is associated with colorectal adenomas
Amber N McCoy1, Félix Araújo-Pérez, Andrea Azcárate-Peril
1Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Plos One
|January 22, 2013
Summary
High levels of Fusobacterium bacteria in the colon are linked to a greater risk of developing adenomas, which are precursors to colorectal cancer (CRC). This suggests a role for inflammation in CRC development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
Background:
- The human gut microbiota plays a role in colorectal cancer (CRC).
- Specific bacterial risk factors for CRC and its precursors, like adenomas, remain unclear.
- Previous studies noted Fusobacterium abundance in CRC but not in adenomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Fusobacterium abundance in rectal mucosa of subjects with and without adenomas.
- To confirm Fusobacterium's association with CRC.
- To investigate the relationship between Fusobacterium, mucosal inflammation, and adenomas.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR of 16S ribosomal RNA gene to measure Fusobacterium levels in rectal mucosal biopsies.
- Analysis of local cytokine gene expression (TNF-α, IL-10) in mucosal biopsies.
- Statistical analysis including t-tests and logistic regression to compare Fusobacterium abundance and adenoma risk.
Main Results:
- Adenoma subjects showed significantly higher Fusobacterium abundance compared to controls (p=0.01).
- High Fusobacterium abundance increased the likelihood of having adenomas (OR 3.66, p-trend 0.005).
- A positive correlation between Fusobacterium and cytokine gene expression (IL-10, TNF-α) was observed in adenoma cases.
Conclusions:
- Fusobacterium abundance in colonic mucosa is linked to adenomas.
- Mucosal inflammation may play a role in the association between Fusobacterium and adenoma development.
- Findings support Fusobacterium as a potential risk factor in the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence.
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