The gut microbial metabolite formate exacerbates colorectal cancer progression

The gut microbiome is a key player in the immunomodulatory and protumorigenic microenvironment during colorectal cancer (CRC), as different gut-derived bacteria can induce tumour growth. However, the crosstalk between the gut microbiome and the host in relation to tumour cell metabolism remains largely unexplored. Here we show that formate, a metabolite produced by the CRC-associated bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum, promotes CRC development. We describe molecular signatures linking CRC phenotypes with Fusobacterium abundance. Cocultures of F. nucleatum with patient-derived CRC cells display protumorigenic effects, along with a metabolic shift towards increased formate secretion and cancer glutamine…

• UD
  Université du Luxembourg
• IB
  Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg
• FC
  Fondation Cancer
• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: 757922, 863664
• FN
  Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg

  Awards: CORE/C16/BM/11282028, 11823097, PRIDE19/14254520, 14254520, A18/BM/11809970, PRIDE17/11823097, C16/BM/11282028, PoC/18/12554295, CORE/15/BM/10404093, FNR/A12/01, CORE/C20/BM/14591557
• FD
  Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS

  Award: 7.4565.21-40007364
• UW
  Universität Wien
• MU
  Medizinische Universität Wien
• AL
  Action LIONS Vaincre le Cancer