Colonization of the Human Gut by E. coli and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Published version of a preprint
Abstract
Purpose: The intestinal microbiota is potentially involved in the development of colorectal carcinoma via various mechanisms. Escherichia coli are commensal bacteria of the human gut microbiota, but some pathogenic strains have acquired the ability to induce chronic inflammation and/or produce toxins, such as cyclomodulin, which could participate in the carcinogenesis process. Here, we analyzed the E. coli population associated with mucosa of patients with colon cancer in relation to clinicopathologic characteristics. We assessed carcinogenic properties of a colon cancer–associated E. coli strain in multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice. Experimental design: Mucosa-associated or internalized E. coli were quantified and characterized from tumors and mucosa of patients with colon cancer and the healthy mucosa of diverticulosis controls. Min mice were inoculated with a colon cancer–associated E. coli strain (11G5). The number of colonic polyps was evaluated at 7 weeks after infection. Results: An increased level of mucosa-associated and internalized E. coli was observed in the tumors compared with normal tissue. A relationship between poor prognostic factors for colon cancer (tumor–node–metastasis stage) and colonization of mucosa by E. coli was observed. Pathogenic cyclomodulin-positive E. coli strains were more prevalent on mucosa of patients with stages III/IV than those with stage I colon cancer. Proliferative index and E. coli colonization level of the mucosa distant from the tumor significantly correlated. Min mice infected with the E. coli strain 11G5 displayed a marked increase in the number of visible colonic polyps compared with controls. Conclusion: These findings support that pathogenic E. coli could be a cofactor in pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 859–67. ©2013 AACR.
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In several mouse models, other colibactin-producing E. coli have been observed to promote the development of colorectal cancer.
“in several mouse models, other colibactin-producing E. coli have been observed to promote the development of colorectal cancer [125–131]”
From Selection, Comparative Genomics, and Potential Probiotic Features of Escherichia coli 5C, a pks-Negative Strain Isolated from Healthy Infant Donor Feces (2026) · cites this paper as [130]
E. coli has been regarded as commensal bacterial in gut microbiota, but some of its strains might also contribute to tumor development by inducing chronic inflammation or producing toxins.
“E. coli has been regarded as commensal bacterial in gut microbiota, but some of its stains might also contribute to tumor development by inducing chronic inflammation or producing toxins48.”
From A tumor microenvironment-specific gene expression signature predicts chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer patients (2021) · cites this paper as [48]
Some tested pathogens, such as E. coli and H. pylori, are known as initial causes of colon cancers.
“Similarly, some of these tested pathogens, such as E. coli and H. pylori, are known as initial causes of colon cancers [41,42].”
From Bioprophylactic potential of novel human colostrum probiotics via apoptotic induction of colon cancer cells and cell immune activation (2022) · cites this paper as [42]
Levels of mucosa-associated and internalized Escherichia coli associate with the cell proliferation index assessed by Ki-67 expression.
“Levels of mucosa-associated and internalized E coli associate with the cell’s proliferation index, assessed by Ki-67 expression.51”
From Influence of the Gut Microbiome, Diet, and Environment on Risk of Colorectal Cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [51]
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- Authors
- Bonnet, M., Buc, E., Sauvanet, P., Darcha, C., Dubois, D., Pereira, B., Déchelotte, P., Bonnet, R., Pezet, D., & Darfeuille-Michaud, A.
- Affiliations
- Inserm (FR)
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Clermont Université, UMR 1071Inserm/Université d'Auvergne; 2 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), USC-2018; and 3Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ORCID
- Venue
- Clinical Cancer Research
- Published
- 2014-02-15
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 859-867
- ISSN
- 1078-0432 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-3265
- OpenAlex
- W2072492789
- Cited by
- 475
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 25 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 9
- FWCI
- 6.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Cancer Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Endocrinology › Escherichia coli research studies
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Cancer Research and Treatments
- Keywords
- Escherichia coli, colorectal cancer, gut microbiota, carcinogenesis, mucosa-associated bacteria, colonic polyps, tumor stage, proliferation index, diverticulosis
- MeSH terms
- Adenocarcinoma, Animals, Diverticulum, Colon, Escherichia coli, Female, Humans, Intestinal Mucosa, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Colorectal Neoplasms, Case-Control Studies, Gastrointestinal Tract, Mice
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