Diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer
Methods for predicting risk of developing colorectal cancer, for treating colorectal cancer, and reducing risk of developing colorectal cancer.
1. A method of delaying progression or development of colorectal cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
a) obtaining a sample comprising colorectal tumor tissue and/or a stool sample from a subject who has colorectal cancer;
b) detecting a level of Fusobacteria in the sample using polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
c) administering an effective amount of a beta-lactam or a nitroimidazole to the subject if the level of Fusobacteria in the sample is higher than a reference level of Fusobacteria obtained from a subject without colorectal cancer; and
d) delaying progression or development of the colorectal cancer in the subject by decreasing the level of Fusobacteria in the subject's colon.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of Fusobacteria in the sample is detected using quantitative PCR.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam is selected from the group consisting of a penicillin, a cephalosporin, a monobactam, and a carbapenem.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitroimidazole is selected from the group consisting of metronidazole, tinidazole, and nimorazole.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam or the nitroimidazole is administered systemically.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam or the nitroimidazole is administered in an oral composition formulated for delivery to the subject's colon.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam or the nitroimidazole is administered rectally.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human subject.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Fusobacteria is Fusobacterium nucleatum.
10. A method of delaying progression or development of colorectal cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
a) obtaining a sample comprising colorectal tumor tissue and/or a stool sample from a subject who has colorectal cancer;
b) detecting a level of Fusobacteria in the sample using polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
c) administering an effective amount of a beta-lactam or a nitroimidazole to the subject if the level of Fusobacteria in the sample is higher than a reference level of Fusobacteria obtained from a subject without a Fusobacteria infection; and
d) delaying progression or development of the colorectal cancer in the subject by decreasing the level of Fusobacteria in the subject's colon.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the level of Fusobacteria in the sample is detected using quantitative PCR.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the beta-lactam is selected from the group consisting of a penicillin, a cephalosporin, a monobactam, and a carbapenem.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the nitroimidazole is selected from the group consisting of metronidazole, tinidazole, and nimorazole.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the beta-lactam or the nitroimidazole is administered systemically.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the beta-lactam or the nitroimidazole is administered in an oral composition formulated for delivery to the subject's colon.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the beta-lactam or the nitroimidazole is administered rectally.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the subject is a human subject.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the Fusobacteria is Fusobacterium nucleatum.