Bacteriophage FNU1 negates Fusobacterium nucleatum induced cell growth, migration and chemotherapy resistance in gastrointestinal cancer cells

TL;DR

A bacteriophage called FNU1 can counteract the harmful effects of Fusobacterium nucleatum in gastrointestinal cancer cells, potentially improving cancer treatment.

Contribution

This study introduces FNU1 as a novel bacteriophage that targets F. nucleatum to reduce cancer cell growth and chemotherapy resistance.

Findings

FNU1 negates F. nucleatum-induced growth stimulation in cancer cells.

FNU1 reduces chemotherapy resistance and anti-apoptotic effects caused by F. nucleatum.

Bacteriophage treatment shows potential to enhance cancer therapy effectiveness.

Abstract

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an oncobacterium capable of promoting the growth and chemotherapy resistance of colonised tumours. Although F. nucleatum is usually susceptible to a range of antibiotics in vitro, these have been associated with worse outcomes when administered with anti-neoplastic chemotherapy. Bacteriophages are viewed as natural alternatives to antibiotics that provide bacterial-specific targeting.

In this study, we have employed an F. nucleatum specific bacteriophage, FNU1, to limit the effects of this oncobacteria in colon cancer and gastric cancer cell models.

We demonstrated that FNU1 was able to negate the F. nucleatum induced growth stimulatory effects, migratory ability, autophagy, anti-apoptotic effects and chemotherapy resistance in these cell models.

Treatments with bacteriophage FNU1, therefore, have the potential to augment existing cancer therapy, and further testing in animal models is warranted.

Figures