A Plausible Proposition of CCL20-Related Mechanism in Fusobacterium nucleatum-Associated Oral Carcinogenesis

The role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in cancer and its implications for clinical applications

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium abundantly found in the human oral cavity, is widely recognized as a key pathobiont responsible for the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases due to its remarkable aggregative capabilities. Numerous clinical studies have linked F. nucleatum with unfavorable prognostic outcomes in various malignancies. In further research, scholars have partially elucidated the mechanisms underlying F. nucleatum's impact on various types of cancer, thus gaining a certain comprehension of the role played by F. nucleatum in cancer. In this comprehensive review, we present an in-depth synthesis of the interplay between F. nucleatum and different cancers, focusing on aspects such as tumor initiation, metastasis, chemoresistance, and modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy. The implications for cancer diagnosis and treatment are also summarized. The objective of this review is to enhance our comprehension of the intricate relationship between F. nucleatum and oncogenic pathogenesis, while emphasizing potential therapeutic strategies.

Oral microbiota and oral squamous cell carcinoma: a review of their relation and carcinogenic mechanisms

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer worldwide. Emerging research suggests a strong association between OSCC and the oral microbiota, a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea. Pathogenic bacteria, in particular Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, have been closely linked to OSCC. Moreover, certain oral fungi, such as Candida albicans, and viruses, like the human papillomavirus, have also been implicated in OSCC. Despite these findings, the precise mechanisms through which the oral microbiota influences OSCC development remain unclear and necessitate further research. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the oral microbiota and its relationship with OSCC and discusses potential carcinogenic pathways that the oral microbiota may activate or modulate are also discussed.

Involvement of Fusobacterium nucleatum in malignancies except for colorectal cancer: A literature review

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is originally an oral opportunistic pathogen and accumulating evidence links the presence of F. nucleatum with the pathogenicity, development, and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, only limited preliminary data is available dealing with the role of F. nucleatum in other malignancies except for CRC. The present review aims to update and systematize the latest information about the mechanisms of F. nucleatum-mediating carcinogenesis, together with the detection rates, clinicopathological, and molecular features in F. nucleatum-associated malignancies. Comparing with adjacent non-tumorous tissue, previous studies have shown an overabundance of intratumoural F. nucleatum. Although the prognostic role of F. nucleatum is still controversial, a higher prevalence of F. nucleatum was usually associated with a more advanced tumor stage and a worse overall survival. Preliminary evidence have shown that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and relevant inflammation and immune response aroused by F. nucleatum may be the probable link between F. nucleatum infection and the initiation of oral/head and neck cancer. Further studies are needed to elucidate the etiologic role of the specific microbiota and the connection between the extent of periodontitis and carcinogenesis in different tumor types. The mechanisms of how the antibiotics exerts the critical role in the carcinogenesis and antitumor effects in malignancies other than CRC need to be further explored.