Revolutionary Discovery: Study Finds Bacteria That Target Head And Neck Cancer Cells

Researchers at Guy's and St Thomas' and King's College London have discovered that a specific bacteria, Fusobacterium, is toxic to head and neck cancer cells. This finding could lead to improved patient outcomes.

Fusobacterium is typically linked with the progression of bowel cancer. However, new research published in Cancer Communications indicates that in the most common type of head and neck cancer, Fusobacterium has the opposite effect. The bacteria destroy tumour cells and may serve as a biomarker for predicting patient responses to treatment.

Head and neck cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with around 1,000 new cases diagnosed each month in the UK. Survival rates vary significantly based on how advanced the cancer is at diagnosis. There have been limited therapeutic advancements over the past two decades.

An international team led by Dr Miguel Reis Ferreira, a consultant in head and neck cancers at Guy's and St Thomas', found that patients with higher levels of Fusobacterium in their mouths had consistently better prognoses than those with lower levels.

Dr Anjali Chander, a senior clinical research fellow at King's College London, observed a 70-99% reduction in viable cancer cells in head and neck cancer cultures after infection with Fusobacterium. The bacteria release toxic molecules that destroy tumour cells, reducing their viability.

This research enhances our understanding of how bacteria interact with cancers. It marks an initial step towards optimising treatment outcomes for head and neck cancer patients by potentially developing gentler treatments with fewer side effects. Fusobacterium could also serve as a predictive biomarker for treatment efficacy.

The study revealed that these bacteria play a more complex role than previously understood in their relationship with cancer. While they can effectively destroy head and neck cancer cells, they are also known to exacerbate other cancers like those in the bowel.

"Our findings are remarkable and very surprising," said Dr Chander. "We had a eureka moment when we found that our international colleagues also found data that validated the discovery."

This discovery underscores the dual nature of Fusobacterium's role in different types of cancers. While it shows promise in treating head and neck cancers, its harmful effects on other cancers must be carefully considered.