Affiliation:
1. State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes School of Materials Science and Engineering Tiangong University Tianjin P. R. China
2. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Inner Mongolia University Hohhot P. R. China
3. Department of Pharmaceutics Faculty of Pharmacy Assiut University Assiut Egypt
4. International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano‐Micro Architecture Chemistry College of Chemistry Jilin University Changchun P. R. China
Abstract
AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is generally characterized by a high prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), a spindle‐shaped, Gram‐negative anaerobe pathogen derived from the oral cavity. This tumor‐resident microorganism has been closely correlated with the occurrence, progression, chemoresistance and immunosuppressive microenvironment of CRC. Furthermore, F. nucleatum can specifically colonize CRC tissues through adhesion on its surface, forming biofilms that are highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Accordingly, it is crucial to develop efficacious non‐antibiotic approaches to eradicate F. nucleatum and its biofilms for CRC treatment. In recent years, various antimicrobial strategies, such as natural extracts, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, polymers, inorganic‐organic hybrid materials, bacteriophages, probiotics, and vaccines, have been proposed to combat F. nucleatum and F. nucleatum biofilms. This review summarizes the latest advancements in anti‐F. nucleatum research, elucidates the antimicrobial mechanisms employed by these systems, and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each antimicrobial technology. Additionally, this review also provides an outlook on the antimicrobial specificity, potential clinical implications, challenges, and future improvements of these antimicrobial strategies in the treatment of CRC.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China