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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Published on: June 13, 2020
Fusobacterium nucleatum and Its Impact on Colorectal Cancer Chemoresistance: A Meta-Analysis of In Vitro Co-Culture
Katie R Risoen1, Claire A Shaw1, Jeremy Chien2
1Population Health and Reproduction, 100K Pathogen Genome Project, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Introduction:
Fusobacterium nucleatum, a common oral microbe associated with periodontal disease, has emerged as a significant prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer (CRC). This organism is notably enriched in CRC tissues and is associated with reduced survival times and relapse. Fusobacterium is implicated in encouraging the development of chemoresistance through diverse tumor-promoting pathways that are increasingly being elucidated across molecular domains.
Methods:
This work uses a combined analysis of public data examining the role of F. nucleatum in CRC by investigating multiple transcriptomic datasets derived from co-culture infections in vitro.
Results:
In tandem with previously identified mechanisms known to be influenced by F. nucleatum, this analysis revealed that the bacterium activates multiple chemoresistance-associated pathways, including those driving inflammation, immune evasion, DNA damage, and metastasis. Notably, this study uncovered a novel induction of type I and type II interferon signaling, suggesting activation of a pseudo-antiviral state. Furthermore, pathway analysis (IPA) predicted altered regulation of several therapeutic agents, suggesting that F. nucleatum may compromise drug efficacy through transcriptional reprogramming.
Conclusions:
These findings reinforce the role of F. nucleatum in modulating host cellular pathways and support the hypothesis that bacterial association potentiates chemoresistance.
