Dual Profiling of Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans and pks+ Escherichia coli as Stool Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Thai Cohort

Authors

  • Wissuta Yodboonruang Medical Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
  • Nutta Iadsee Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
  • Teerasit Techawiwattanaboon Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University
  • Tanisa Patcharatrakul 5Division of Gastroenterology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand and Faculty of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Chulalongkorn University
  • Songphol Malakorn Division of Colorectal Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
  • Kanitha Patarakul Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University

Keywords:

colorectal cancer, fecal microbial biomarkers, Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, gut dysbiosis, pks+ Escherichia coli, quantitative PCR (qPCR)

Abstract

Background: Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a standard non-invasive screening method for colorectal cancer (CRC) but exhibits limited sensitivity in detecting early-stage lesions, leading to delayed treatment. To improve early-stage CRC detection, it is essential to develop a non-invasive, widely applicable, and practical screening method that enhances the current FIT screening capabilities. Recent studies have shown that gut dysbiosis is associated with CRC development and therefore can serve as a source of fecal microbial biomarkers.

Objectives: To evaluate the stage-specific absolute and relative abundance profiles of candidate fecal microbial biomarkers along the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence in a Thai cohort.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from three groups: healthy individuals, patients with high-risk adenomatous polyps, and early-stage CRC patients. Total DNA extraction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed, followed by data analysis to identify fecal microbes that showed significant changes in patients with adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer.

Results: Preliminary data revealed distinct, stage-specific quantitative alterations. The genotoxic pathobiont pks+ Escherichia coli demonstrated progressive enrichment, yielding a significant increase in the CRC group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the immunomodulatory symbiont Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans exhibited profound depletion upon malignant transformation (P < 0.01). Notably, pattern discrepancies between the absolute and relative abundance of F. saccharivorans underscored the impact of 16S rRNA gene copy number variations during background dysbiosis.

Conclusion: The dual profiling of these specific fecal microbial biomarkers, particularly through absolute quantification, suggests promising potential for enhancing non-invasive, early-stage CRC screening.

Downloads

Published

2026-07-02

Issue

Vol. 8 (2026): Supplement (Articles in Press)

Section

Original article