Fusobacteria use a special sugar-binding protein to bind to colon tumors

At left, colon with a tumor. Magnification at right: healthy colon tissue and colon cells, and colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer cells. Illustration by Johanna Emgård

Boston, MA — Some bacteria, called fusobacteria, commonly found in the mouth, use a sugar-binding protein to stick to developing colorectal polyps and cancers, according to a new study by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine. While certain fusobacteria have previously been shown to worsen colorectal cancer in animals by the Garrett Lab at Harvard Chan School, this study is…