Is a fusobacterium nucleatum infection in the colon a risk factor for colorectal cancer?: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Amal Idrissi Janati; Igor Karp; Hisham Sabri; Elham Emami

doi:10.1186/s13643-019-1031-7

Is a fusobacterium nucleatum infection in the colon a risk factor for colorectal cancer?: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Syst Rev. 2019 May 10;8(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s13643-019-1031-7.

Authors

Amal Idrissi Janati¹, Igor Karp^{2

3}, Hisham Sabri⁴, Elham Emami^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada.
² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 1151, Richmond St., Kresge Building, Room K214, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
³ Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
⁴ Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
⁵ Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. elham.emami@mcgill.ca.
⁶ Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Suite 500, Montreal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada. elham.emami@mcgill.ca.

Abstract

Background: Despite a considerable amount of epidemiological research for identification of risk factors involved in the development of colorectal cancer, the current understanding of the etiology of this disease remains rather poor. Accumulating evidence suggests a potentially important role of infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum in the colon in colorectal carcinogenesis. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the epidemiological evidence on the association between infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum in the colon and colorectal cancer.

Methods: This systematic review will include observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) in humans in which the role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in the etiology of colorectal cancer was investigated. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will be searched using a comprehensive search strategy and manual screening of references. Two reviewers will independently identify eligible studies and extract the data from the included studies. The quality of studies will be assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Random-effects models will be used to estimate pooled measures of association (where feasible). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. The Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement will be followed for reporting.

Discussion: Deepening knowledge regarding the etiology of colorectal cancer and the potential implications of Fusobacterium nucleatum in this disease is instrumental for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this often-fatal disease. This review will produce summarized current evidence on this topic.

Systematic review registration: This systematic review protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 10 July 2018 (registration number CRD42018095866).

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Meta-analysis; Systematic review protocol.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Colon / immunology
Colon / pathology
Colorectal Neoplasms* / etiology
Colorectal Neoplasms* / immunology
Colorectal Neoplasms* / mortality
Fusobacterium Infections* / diagnosis
Fusobacterium Infections* / therapy
Fusobacterium nucleatum / pathogenicity
Humans
Meta-Analysis as Topic
Risk Factors
Systematic Reviews as Topic

Grants and funding

CIHR/Canada