A new study published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe has found a link between a common foodborne bacteria and the spread of colorectal cancer. Researchers at UF Health Cancer Center have discovered that a toxin produced by Campylobacter jejuni, one of the most common causes of foodborne illness, accelerates the growth of tumors outside the gut.
The study, led by Christian Jobin, Ph.D., found that patients with detectable levels of CDT, the bacterial toxin, had a significantly poorer outlook than those without. The researchers also showed that CDT leads to an increased expression of enzymes and activates signaling pathways in cancer cells associated with metastasis.
The findings suggest that Campylobacter jejuni could be a key player in the development and spread of colorectal cancer. The study’s results could pave the way for new tools to detect metastatic colorectal cancer early, and ultimately help determine patients who need more aggressive treatments.
The researchers used laboratory mice with metastatic lung and liver tumors, human colorectal cancer tissue, and 3D colorectal cancer tumor models to demonstrate how CDT promotes the spread of cancer. They also recovered live bacteria from tumors outside the gut, suggesting that the tumors created an environment that was friendly to their growth.
The study’s findings could guide the development of new therapies targeting the cell-signaling pathway activated by CDT. However, more research is needed to understand how the bacteria migrated to tumor sites and how the toxin activates these pathways.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-link-foodborne-toxin-colorectal-cancer.html