Overview
- Johns Hopkins scientists report that Fusobacterium nucleatum, a gum disease bacterium, can reach breast tissue after entering the bloodstream.
- Mouse models showed the microbe accelerated tumor growth and increased metastatic spread from the breast to the lungs.
- Exposure triggered inflammation, DNA damage, and activation of error‑prone repair pathways, with short exposures raising PKcs levels tied to invasion and chemotherapy resistance.
- Breast duct epithelial cells and BRCA1‑mutant cells were especially susceptible due to elevated Gal‑GalNAc that aids bacterial attachment and entry.
- The peer‑reviewed findings, published in Cell Communication and Signaling, prompt calls for human studies to assess clinical relevance and any role for oral‑health interventions.