Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients
Background The oral microbiome, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), has been implicated in head and neck cancers (HNC), influencing local immunity and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status. Here, we evaluated the presence of Fn and its association with HPV infection, TERT promoter (TERTp) mutatio...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Oral Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2487644 |
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| author | José Guilherme Datorre Mariana Bisarro dos Reis Bruna Pereira Sorroche Gustavo Ramos Teixeira Silveli Suzuki Hatano Ana Carolina de Carvalho Ricardo Ribeiro Gama Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes Rui Manuel Reis |
| author_facet | José Guilherme Datorre Mariana Bisarro dos Reis Bruna Pereira Sorroche Gustavo Ramos Teixeira Silveli Suzuki Hatano Ana Carolina de Carvalho Ricardo Ribeiro Gama Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes Rui Manuel Reis |
| author_sort | José Guilherme Datorre |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The oral microbiome, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), has been implicated in head and neck cancers (HNC), influencing local immunity and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status. Here, we evaluated the presence of Fn and its association with HPV infection, TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations, and patient outcomes.Materials and Methods We analyzed 94 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues from HNC patients previously evaluated for TERTp mutations. Fn DNA was detected using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and HPV status was determined via p16 immunohistochemistry in pre-treatment samples. Associations between Fn presence, clinicopathological features, HPV, and TERTp mutation status were assessed.Results Tumors primarily originated from the oropharynx (70.2%) and oral cavity (29.8%). Tobacco and alcohol use were reported in 87.2% and 79.8% of cases, respectively. Fn was present in 59.6% of cases, with higher prevalence in oropharyngeal (62.1%) than oral cavity (53.6%) tumors. No significant associations were found between Fn and clinicopathological features, TERTp, or HPV status. However, patients with Fn positivity showed significantly improved cancer-specific survival (61.5% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.013), similar to HPV-positive patients (72.7% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.014).Conclusion The presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum in HNC correlates with longer survival, highlighting its potential as a prognostic marker. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bce72e9140c644cc922b79bb55aff23f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2000-2297 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Oral Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-bce72e9140c644cc922b79bb55aff23f2025-08-20T03:09:55ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Oral Microbiology2000-22972025-12-0117110.1080/20002297.2025.2487644Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patientsJosé Guilherme Datorre0Mariana Bisarro dos Reis1Bruna Pereira Sorroche2Gustavo Ramos Teixeira3Silveli Suzuki Hatano4Ana Carolina de Carvalho5Ricardo Ribeiro Gama6Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes7Rui Manuel Reis8Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilMolecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilMolecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilPathology Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilMolecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilMolecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilHead and Neck Surgery Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilMolecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilMolecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, BrazilBackground The oral microbiome, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), has been implicated in head and neck cancers (HNC), influencing local immunity and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status. Here, we evaluated the presence of Fn and its association with HPV infection, TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations, and patient outcomes.Materials and Methods We analyzed 94 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues from HNC patients previously evaluated for TERTp mutations. Fn DNA was detected using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and HPV status was determined via p16 immunohistochemistry in pre-treatment samples. Associations between Fn presence, clinicopathological features, HPV, and TERTp mutation status were assessed.Results Tumors primarily originated from the oropharynx (70.2%) and oral cavity (29.8%). Tobacco and alcohol use were reported in 87.2% and 79.8% of cases, respectively. Fn was present in 59.6% of cases, with higher prevalence in oropharyngeal (62.1%) than oral cavity (53.6%) tumors. No significant associations were found between Fn and clinicopathological features, TERTp, or HPV status. However, patients with Fn positivity showed significantly improved cancer-specific survival (61.5% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.013), similar to HPV-positive patients (72.7% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.014).Conclusion The presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum in HNC correlates with longer survival, highlighting its potential as a prognostic marker.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2487644Fusobacterium nucleatumhead and neck cancerdroplet digital PCRBrazilBiomarker |
| spellingShingle | José Guilherme Datorre Mariana Bisarro dos Reis Bruna Pereira Sorroche Gustavo Ramos Teixeira Silveli Suzuki Hatano Ana Carolina de Carvalho Ricardo Ribeiro Gama Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes Rui Manuel Reis Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients Journal of Oral Microbiology Fusobacterium nucleatum head and neck cancer droplet digital PCR Brazil Biomarker |
| title | Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients |
| title_full | Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients |
| title_fullStr | Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients |
| title_short | Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients |
| title_sort | intratumoral fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer specific survival in head and neck cancer patients |
| topic | Fusobacterium nucleatum head and neck cancer droplet digital PCR Brazil Biomarker |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2487644 |
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