Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	118753
Country	Greece

Category	Microbiology
Manuscript Type	Observational Study
Article Title	Stage-dependent and heterogeneous tumor association of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Romanian patients with colon adenocarcinoma
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Simona Turcu, Konstantina-Lida Prasoula, Evangelia Legaki, Florin Andrei Grama, Draga-Maria Mandi, Adrian Bordea, Catalin Andrei Dutei and Maria Gazouli
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number the University of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Carol Davila’ 10S10/08.05.2025
Corresponding Author	Maria Gazouli, PhD, Laboratory of Biology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, No. 176 Michalakopoulou, Athens 11527, Attikí, Greece. mgazouli@med.uoa.gr
Key Words	Colorectal cancer; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Gut microbiome; Tumor heterogeneity; microRNA-21; Romanian population
Core Tip	This pilot study presents the first paired tumor-adjacent tissue analysis of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Romanian patients with colon adenocarcinoma. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we show that tumor-associated Fusobacterium nucleatum signals are heterogeneous and stage-dependent rather than uniformly enriched. Higher bacterial signal was observed in earlier T-stage tumors, while no consistent associations were identified with demographic, surgical, or microRNA-21 expression profiles. These findings provide initial population-specific insight into tumor-microbe interactions and establish a foundation for larger, longitudinal studies evaluating the clinical relevance of colorectal cancer-associated microbiota.
Citation	Turcu S, Prasoula KL, Legaki E, Grama FA, Mandi DM, Bordea A, Dutei CA, Gazouli M. Stage-dependent and heterogeneous tumor association of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Romanian patients with colon adenocarcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; In press

Received	2026-01-12 03:05
Peer-Review Started	2026-01-12 03:06
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-23 07:57
Return for Revision	2026-01-23 07:57
Revised	2026-01-25 14:47
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-02-25 02:38
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-02-25 09:17
Articles in Press	2026-02-25 09:17
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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