Fusobacterium nucleatum in Health and Disease

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Fusobacterium nucleatum is a common oral anaerobe with dual roles as a commensal and pathogen.
• It is implicated in various inflammatory conditions, pregnancy complications, and increasingly, malignancies.
• Evidence suggests F. nucleatum translocates from the oral cavity to extra-oral sites, contributing to disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on Fusobacterium nucleatum, focusing on subspecies-specific functions and pathogenicity.
• To explore its role as an oncomicrobe, particularly in colorectal cancer.
• To evaluate therapeutic and preventive strategies targeting F. nucleatum.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current research on F. nucleatum.
• Analysis of pathogenic mechanisms, including transmission, adhesion, inflammation, proliferation, metastasis, immune modulation, and therapy resistance.
• Evaluation of host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions.

Main Results:

• F. nucleatum contributes to oral inflammation, atherosclerosis, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and is a key player in colorectal cancer.
• Pathogenic mechanisms involve promoting chronic inflammation, tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
• Microbial interactions significantly influence disease outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Fusobacterium nucleatum exhibits context-dependent pathogenicity, acting as an oncomicrobe in various cancers.
• Understanding its ecological interactions is crucial for developing targeted diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Precision medicine approaches are needed to mitigate the disease burden associated with F. nucleatum.