Bacteria participate in the genesis of a variety of at least over 20% of all cancer cases are attributable to infectious agents. Microorganisms can promote carcinogenesis by inducing inflammation, release of PAMPs, increasing cell proliferation, altering stem cell dynamics, and producing metabolites such as butyrate, which affect DNA integrity and immune regulation.
However, little is known about the contribution of the microbiome to the development of malignancies.The HMI has developed an original workflowthat enable the identification of novel, unculturable microbial species,associated with cancerswithin the human microbiota. This genomic-based workflow using combined genetic, culture and metagenomics methods lead to the discovery of more than 30 novel previously unknown microbial species associated with oncogenesisof different localization.
Ongoing studies are dedicated to obtain a clear picture of the cancer associations with these novel bacterial pathogens that can be a life-saving event for individuals harboring these microorganisms.
Translation potential is realized by
- Early detection of cancer by detecting HMI discovered, previously unknown bacteria
- Use of cancerogenic bacteria as therapeutic and preventive targets
The scope of our microbiota-related cancer research includes the following cancer types:
Selected publications:
Genome announcements (2016)
Draft Genome Sequence of Kluyvera intestini Strain GT-16 Isolated from the Stomach of a Patient with Gastric Cancer
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Authors | George TetzVictor Tetz |
| Abstract | Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the novel, non-spore-forming Kluyvera intestini strain GT-16, isolated from the stomach of a patient with gastric cancer. The genome is 5,868,299 bp in length with a GC content of 53.0%. It possesses 5,350 predicted protein-coding genes encoding virulence factors and antibiotic resistance proteins. |
| Year of Publication |
2016 |
| Journal | Genome announcements |
| DOI | :10.1128/genomeA.01432-16 |
Gut Pathogens (2017)
Introducing the Sporobiota and Sporobiome
| Publication Type | Jornal article |
| Authors | George TetzVictor Tetz |
| Abstract | Unrelated spore-forming bacteria share unique characteristics stemming from the presence of highly resistant endospores, leading to similar challenges in health and disease. These characteristics are related to the presence of these highly transmissible spores, which are commonly spread within the environment and are implicated in host-to-host transmission. In humans, spore-forming bacteria contribute to a variety of pathological processes that share similar characteristics, including persistence, chronicity, relapses and the maintenance of the resistome. We first outline the necessity of characterizing the totality of the spore-forming bacteria as the sporobiota based on their unique common characteristics. We further propose that the collection of all genes of spore-forming bacteria be known as the sporobiome. Such differentiation is critical for exploring the cross-talk between the sporobiota and other members of the gut microbiota, and will allow for a better understanding of the implications of the sporobiota and sporobiome in a variety of pathologies and the spread of antibiotic resistance. |
| Year of Publication |
2017 |
| Journal | Gut Pathogens |
| DOI | 10.1186/s13099-017-0187-8. |
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Genome announcements (2016)
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Bacillus sp. VT 712 Strain Isolated from the Duodenum of a Patient with Intestinal Cancer
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Authors | George TetzVictor Tetz |
| Abstract | We report here the complete genome sequence of the spore-forming Bacillus sp. strain VT 712 isolated from the duodenum of a patient with intestinal cancer. The genome is 3,921,583 bp, with 37.9% G+C content. It contains 3,768 predicted protein-coding genes for multidrug resistance transporters, virulence factors, and daunorubicin resistance. |
| Year of Publication |
2016 |
| Journal | Genome announcements |
| DOI | 10.1128/genomeA.00786-16 |
Genomic characterization and assessment of the virulence and antibiotic resistance of the novel species Paenibacillus sp. strain VT-400, a potentially pathogenic bacterium in the oral cavity of patients with hematological malignancies
Gut pathogens (2016)
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Authors | George Tetz Victor Tetz Maria Vecherkovskaya |
| Abstract | BackgroundPaenibacillus sp. strain VT-400, a novel spore-forming bacterium, was isolated from patients with hematological malignancies.
Methods Paenibacillus sp. strain VT-400 was isolated from the saliva of four children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The genome was annotated using RAST and the NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline to characterize features of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. We used a mouse model of pneumonia to study virulence in vivo. Mice were challenged with 7.5 log10–9.5 log10 CFU, and survival was monitored over 7 days. Bacterial load was measured in the lungs and spleen of surviving mice 48 h post-infection to reveal bacterial invasion and dissemination. Results Whole-genome sequencing revealed a large number of virulence factors such as hemolysin D and CD4+ T cell-stimulating antigen. Furthermore, the strain harbors numerous antibiotic resistance genes, including small multidrug resistance proteins, which have never been previously found in the Paenibacillus genus. We then compared the presence of antibiotic resistance genes against results from antibiotic susceptibility testing. Paenibacillus sp. strain VT-400 was found to be resistant to macrolides such as erythromycin and azithromycin, as well as to chloramphenicol and trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole. Finally, the isolate caused mortality in mice infected with ≥8.5 log10 CFU. Conclusions Based on our results and on the available literature, there is yet no strong evidence that shows Paenibacillus species as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. However, the presence of spore-forming bacteria with virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in such patients warrants special attention because infections caused by spore-forming bacteria are poorly treatable. |
| Year of Publication |
2016 |
| Journal | Gut Pathogens |
| DOI | 10.1186/s13099-016-0089-1 |
Genome announcements (2015)
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Authors | George Tetz Victor Tetz |
| Abstract | We report the draft genome sequence of Acinetobacter sp. strain VT-511, which was obtained from the stomach of a patient with gastric cancer. The genome of Acinetobacter sp. VT-511 is composed of approximately 3,416,321 bp and includes 3,214 predicted protein-coding genes. |
| Year of Publication | 2015 |
| Journal | Genome announcements |
| DOI | 10.1128/genomeA.01202-15 |
Genome announcements (2015)
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Authors | George Tetz Victor Tetz Maria Vecherkovskaya |
| Abstract | We report here the complete genome sequence of spore-forming Paenibacillus sp. strain VT 400, isolated from the saliva of a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The genome consists of 6,986,122 bp, with a G+C content of 45.8%. It possesses 5,777 predicted protein-coding genes encoding multidrug resistance transporters, virulence factors, and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. |
| Year of Publication | 2015 |
| Journal | Genome announcements |
| DOI | 10.1128/genomeA.00894-15 |
Genome announcements (2015)
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Authors | George Tetz Victor Tetz |
| Abstract | We report the complete genome sequence of Bacilli bacterium strain VT-13- 104 isolated from the intestine of a patient with duodenal cancer. The genome is composed of 3,573,421 bp, with a G+C content of 35.7%. It possesses 3,254 predicted protein-coding genes encoding multidrug resistance transporters, resistance to antibiotics, and virulence factors. |
| Year of Publication | 2015 |
| Journal | Genome announcements |
| DOI | 10.1128/genomeA.00705-15 |