Highly sensitive stool DNA testing of Fusobacterium nucleatum as a marker for detection of colorectal tumours in a Japanese population. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suehiro, Yutaka; Sakai, Kouhei; Nishioka, Mitsuaki; Hashimoto, Shinichi; Takami, Taro; Higaki, Shingo; Shindo, Yoshitaro; Hazama, Shoichi; Oka, Masaaki; Nagano, Hiroaki; Sakaida, Isao; Yamasaki, Takahiro
• Is Part Of: Annals of clinical biochemistry. Volume 54:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Colorectal cancer -- droplet digital PCR -- DNA test -- Fusobacterium nucleatum -- stool; Clinical chemistry -- Periodicals; Clinical biochemistry -- Periodicals; 616.075
• DOI: 10.1177/0004563216643970
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0004-5632

Abstract

Background: Accumulating evidence shows an over-abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal tumour tissues. Although stool DNA testing of Fusobacterium nucleatum might be a potential marker for the detection of colorectal tumours, the difficulty in detecting Fusobacterium nucleatum in stool by conventional methods prevented further explorations. Therefore, we developed a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detecting Fusobacterium nucleatum in stool and investigated its clinical utility in the management of colorectal tumours in a Japanese population. Methods: Feces were collected from 60 healthy subjects (control group) and from 11 patients with colorectal non-advanced adenomas (non-advanced adenoma group), 19 patients with colorectal advanced adenoma/carcinoma in situ (advanced adenoma/carcinoma in situ (CIS) group) and 158 patients with colorectal cancer of stages I to IV (colorectal cancer group). Absolute copy numbers of Fusobacterium nucleatum were measured by droplet digital PCR. Results: The median copy number of Fusobacterium nucleatum was 17.5 in the control group, 311 in the non-advanced adenoma group, 122 in the advanced adenoma/CIS group, and 317 in the colorectal cancer group. In comparison with that in the control group, the Fusobacterium nucleatum level was significantly higher in the non-advanced adenoma group, the advanced adenoma/CIS group and the colorectal cancer group. Conclusions: This study illustrates the potential of stool DNA testing of Fusobacterium nucleatum by droplet digital PCR to detect individuals with colorectal tumours in a Japanese population.