Biomarkers
Counts of F. nucleatum bacteria in tumor mucosae could help predict responses to oxaliplatin and Xeloda combination therapy in colorectal cancer patients. In 31 patients, high counts of F. nucleatum in tumor mucosae samples were associated with disease recurrence after surgical resection and treatment with oxaliplatin plus Xeloda. In tissue samples from another 92 patients treated with oxaliplatin plus Xeloda, F. nucleatum counts were higher in tumor mucosae than in adjacent normal tissues, and were associated with disease progression in the patients. Also in the 92 patients and 173 other patients treated with oxaliplatin and Xeloda, high counts of F. nucleatum in tumor mucosae samples were associated with poor recurrence-free survival. In the 92 patients, high levels of F. nucleatum genomic DNA in tumor mucosae correctly predicted disease recurrence with 73% sensitivity and 77% specificity. Next steps could include validating the findings in larger patient cohorts...