Gut bacterium linked to colon cancer through toxin-driven inflammation
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have uncovered a key link between a common gut bacterium and colorectal cancer, addressing a question that has puzzled researchers for nearly two decades.
The bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, produces a toxin that damages the protective lining of the colon. This injury can lead to chronic inflammation, an established feature of the tumor microenvironment, and promote tumor formation.
The finding clarifies a possible pathway through which a bacterium normally present in the human gut may contribute to colorectal cancer. The article reports the discovery but does not specify the toxin’s name, its precise molecular action, or whether the mechanism applies equally to all strains of B. fragilis.