In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College London have identified that a common mouth bacterium, fusobacterium, can effectively combat certain cancers. This revelation, which has left researchers “brutally surprised,” suggests a promising new avenue for cancer treatment.
Head and neck cancer patients harboring fusobacterium within their tumors have shown significantly improved outcomes. Dr. Miguel Reis Ferreira, a leading expert in head and neck cancers at Guy’s and St Thomas’, highlighted that these bacteria appear to enhance patient prognosis dramatically. When examined in cell cultures, fusobacterium demonstrated an ability to kill cancer cells, a finding that has prompted further investigation into the precise biological mechanisms involved.
Current research is delving into how fusobacterium can cause such positive effects. Dr. Ferreira notes, “This little bug is causing a better outcome based on something that it’s doing inside the cancer.” The specifics of this interaction are being studied and are expected to be detailed in upcoming publications.
While this discovery is promising, fusobacterium is also known for its role in exacerbating bowel cancer. Researchers used various models to identify the bacteria’s impact on cancer cells, studying 155 head and neck cancer patients’ data from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Contrary to previous expectations, fusobacterium was found to drastically reduce cancer cell viability in head and neck cancers, with reductions ranging from 70% to 99%.
The presence of fusobacterium in head and neck cancers is linked to a 65% reduction in the risk of death. This finding could revolutionize treatment strategies for these types of cancer, which affect areas such as the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, and sinuses. Given the lack of significant therapeutic advancements in head and neck cancer over the past two decades, this discovery offers a beacon of hope for future treatment innovations.
Dr. Anjali Chander, a senior clinical research fellow at King’s College London, expressed the team’s astonishment at their findings, which were corroborated by international colleagues. The discovery, funded by Guy’s Cancer Charity, underscores the potential for fusobacterium to not only combat cancer but also to shape more compassionate and effective treatments.
As research continues, the scientific community eagerly anticipates further insights into fusobacterium’s cancer-fighting properties. This remarkable bacterium could pave the way for novel therapies, providing a new arsenal in the fight against cancer and offering renewed hope to patients worldwide.
Reference: Sammy Gecsoyler (2024, julio 27). Type of mouth bacteria ‘melts’ some cancers, study finds. The guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jul/27/type-of-mouth-bacteria-melts-some-cancers-study-finds
