Understanding Bacterial Impacts on Colorectal Cancer Development and Therapy Response Using Patient-Derived Organoids

The microbiome has been increasingly recognized as a key player in cancer development and therapy response, yet its functional impact remains poorly understood. The BACTORG team unites experts in microbiome research, colorectal cancer biology, and organoid-based disease modeling to systematically investigate how specific bacterial species influence tumor phenotypes, genetic mutations, and treatment resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC).

By integrating clinical datasets with experimental approaches, BACTORG will analyze how colorectal cancer-associated bacteria — such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and genotoxic Escherichia coli — drive mutation accumulation, alter cancer cell signaling, and impact chemotherapy effectiveness. To achieve this, patient-derived organoid models will be co-cultured with live bacteria and bacterial supernatants, enabling functional insights into microbe-tumor interactions. These findings will be validated in in vivo models and correlated with clinical data to establish their relevance for CRC prevention, prognosis, and treatment strategies.

BACTORG aims to provide a foundation for microbiome-informed clinical decision-making, including improved patient stratification and microbiome-targeted interventions. The team will actively collaborate with DKTK’s Molecular Tumor Boards (MTB) and Clinical Communication Platform (CCP) to ensure the rapid translation of findings into clinical practice. Furthermore, the involvement of our patient representative will provide valuable insights into patient-centered outcomes and ensure that research is aligned with clinical needs. The high level of interdisciplinarity, integrating expertise from oncology, bioinformatics, pathology, and immunology, is a key factor in the success of the project, fostering innovative solutions and facilitating future clinical translation.