# Colorectal carcinogenesis and Fusobacterium nucleatum: oncomicrobe, oncometabolites, and oncoimmunology

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2020 · $346,690

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Specific configurations of the gut microbiome have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), but how gut
microbes, their metabolites, and their interactions with the immune system potentiate colorectal carcinogenesis
remains poorly understood. Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is a normal
constituent of the human oral microbiome; however, numerous studies now demonstrate that F. nucleatum
(Fn) is enriched in human colorectal adenomas and CRC compared to healthy colonic tissues. While our group
has been involved in several of these studies under the aegis of this award; exactly how Fn promotes colonic
tumorigenesis has not been fully elucidated. Clarifying the mechanisms by which Fn shapes the colonic tumor
microenvironment will provide important insight for embarking on a multipronged approach to use Fn as a
diagnostic and therapeutic target in CRC prevention and treatment. Based on the findings from our first
funding cycle for this competitive R01 renewal, we formulate the overarching hypothesis that Fn is an
oncomicrobe that through its effects on the CRC tumoral microbiota, via its oncometabolites, and by
its direct interactions with intratumoral immune cells contributes to CRC growth and progression.
Leveraging our knowledge and expertise with Fn, meta'omics, and mouse models, we will address how Fn
potentiates colorectal carcinogenesis in its role as an oncomicrobe, via its short-chain fatty acids
(oncometabolites), and in its interactions within the tumor immune microenvironment (oncoimmunology).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9977924
- **Project number:** 5R01CA154426-09
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Wendy S. Garrett
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $346,690
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-03-18 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9977924

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9977924, Colorectal carcinogenesis and Fusobacterium nucleatum: oncomicrobe, oncometabolites, and oncoimmunology (5R01CA154426-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9977924. Licensed CC0.

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