Fusobacterium nucleatum, a key pathogenic factor and microbial biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most prevalent cancers, has complex etiology. The dysbiosis of intestinal bacteria has been highlighted as an important contributor to CRC. Fusobacterium nucleatum , an oral anaerobic opportunistic pathogen, is enriched in both stools and tumor tissues of patients with CRC. Therefore, F. nucleatum is considered to be a risk factor for CRC. This review summarizes the biological characteristics and the mechanisms underlying the regulatory behavior of F. nucleatum in the tumorigenesis and progression of CRC. F. nucleatum as a marker for the early warning and prognostic prediction of CRC, and as a target for prevention and treatment, is also described. Fusobacterium nucleatum has been related to genetic and epigenetic lesions, such as microsatellite instability (MSI), CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), and genome mutation in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. F. nucleatum could promote the proliferation and metabolism, remodel the immune microenvironment, and facilitate metastasis and chemoresistance in the tumorigenesis and development of CRC. F. nucleatum could function as a biomarker for screening the high-risk population for CRC. Although further in-depth studies are warranted, several virulence- or phage-based therapeutics specific to F. nucleatum may be novel promising methods in CRC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]