Bacteria Found to Reduce Cancer Cells in Groundbreaking Study

Researchers have discovered that a common oral bacterium may significantly reduce cancer cells, with findings indicating a 70-99% decrease in viable cancer cells in laboratory settings. The study, which focused on fusobacterium, involved an analysis of 155 patients with head and neck cancer from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Results showed a striking 65% reduction in the risk of death among patients where fusobacterium was present, challenging previous assumptions about the bacterium's role in cancer progression. Dr. Miguel Reis Ferreira, the senior author of the study and a consultant at Guy's and St Thomas', emphasized the unexpected nature of these findings. Historically, fusobacterium has been associated with the advancement of bowel cancer, making this new evidence particularly surprising. The research team is now investigating the biological mechanisms that allow fusobacterium to exert such a powerful effect on head and neck cancers. Dr. Reis Ferreira noted that the presence of fusobacterium correlates with improved patient outcomes, stating, "In essence, we found that when you find these bacteria within head and neck cancers, they have much better outcomes." He also highlighted the bacterium's ability to kill cancer cells in cell cultures, suggesting a complex relationship between fusobacterium and various cancer types. The study's findings, published in the journal Cancer Communications, underscore the need for further research to fully understand the dual role of fusobacterium in cancer development and treatment.