Bacterial toxins as early biomarkers for cancer risk

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a widespread and deadly multifactorial malignancy with a rising incidence in individuals under 50 years of age. This trend underscores the urgent need for novel screening strategies to enable early detection and improve patient outcomes. Host-microbe interactions are emerging as key contributors to disease onset and progression, and recent evidence suggests that some toxicogenic bacteria are correlated to CRC. In particular, specific toxins from Escherichia coli have a higher incidence rate in CRC, suggesting they may play a role in CRC onset and development.

Our team studies the role of bacterial toxins in colorectal carcinogenesis with a specific focus on their potential as early biomarkers of CRC. We have solid experience in preclinical models of CRC (both in vitro and in vivo), which we have used to demonstrate the carcinogenic potential of a bacterial toxin, and benefit from access to up-to-date ISS research facilities supporting advanced analyses. We have recently completed a clinical study investigating the association of bacterial toxins with CRC progression, with a dedicated CRC–toxin database and are currently expanding it with additional samples.