Grant: Project Grant

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is a common oral bacterium that can travel through the bloodstream and cause or worsen diseases, including certain cancers, at other body sites. In people with colon cancer, high levels of Fn in tumours are linked to faster disease progression, resistance to treatment, and poorer survival. While antibiotics like metronidazole can treat Fn, long-term use is problematic, so vaccination may be a better option for people at risk. Our research has shown that a whole-cell Fn vaccine can reduce tumour infection in mice, but we still need to understand which parts of the immune system are most important for controlling Fn. In this project, we will study immune responses to Fn in both cancer patients and healthy people, and test the roles of different immune cells and antibodies in protecting against Fn in mouse models. We will also test specific Fn proteins that trigger protective immune responses, with the ultimate goal of developing a safe and effective vaccine to help patients at risk for Fn-related colorectal cancer.