A Novel Bacteriophage with the Potential to Inhibit <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i>-Induced Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells

A Novel Bacteriophage with the Potential to Inhibit <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i>-Induced Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background: Increasing evidence shows that <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> (<i>F. nucleatum</i>) largely affects colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and progression; therefore, the inhibition of intratumoral <i>F. nucleatum</i> may be one realistic approach to combat CR...

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Main Authors: Ho Yin Pekkle Lam, Meng-Jiun Lai, Pin-Chun Wang, Wen-Jui Wu, Li-Kuang Chen, Hsiang-Wei Fan, Chun-Chieh Tseng, Shih-Yi Peng, Kai-Chih Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Antibiotics
Subjects:
<i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i>
colorectal cancer
antibiotic resistance
bacteriophage
phage therapy
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/1/45
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Summary:Background: Increasing evidence shows that <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> (<i>F. nucleatum</i>) largely affects colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and progression; therefore, the inhibition of intratumoral <i>F. nucleatum</i> may be one realistic approach to combat CRC. Although antibiotics are helpful in eliminating bacteria, the major problem remains the rise of potential antibiotic-resistant strains and antibiotic-associated adverse effects. Currently, bacteriophage therapy has gained interest because of its high selectivity to bacterial hosts and may become a realistic approach in treating bacteria-associated cancers. Methods: In this study, a new <i>F. nucleatum</i> bacteriophage, ØTCUFN3, was isolated and its biological characteristics were identified. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed to investigate the effect of ØTCUFN3 in combating <i>F. nucleatum</i>-induced CRC growth. Results: By applying ØTCUFN3 to <i>F. nucleatum</i>-induced CRC cell lines, p53<sup>+/+</sup>, and p53<sup>−/−</sup> isogenic HCT116 cells, our results revealed an inhibition of CRC proliferation and the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. ØTCUFN3 injection also reduced the growth of <i>F. nucleatum</i>-induced mouse xenografts. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the use of <i>F. nucleatum</i> bacteriophage against CRC, laying the foundation for the future usage of bacteriophage in cancer treatment.
ISSN:2079-6382

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