"Discovery of Aggressive Bacteria in Half of Colon Cancer Cases"

A study published in Nature found that a type of bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, typically found in the mouth, was discovered in 50% of colorectal tumors and appears to shield tumor cells from cancer-fighting drugs. This discovery could lead to new treatments and screening methods for colorectal cancer, which is on the rise, particularly among younger people. The bacteria's stealthy subspecies was found to worsen prognosis and may even cause cancer to form. The findings could lead to targeted therapies, including antibiotics and potentially genetically modifying the bacteria to carry cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors.