Synthetically engineered probiotic suppresses colorectal cancer via inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Yujie Sun, Yu Zhao, Kang Han, Wulong Hu, Guofan Peng, Shengen Yi, Jun Zhou, Jin Hai Zheng

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Cell reports. Medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed

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1 · What the graph read from it

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Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yujie SunSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China.

Yu ZhaoSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China.

Kang HanSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China; Xiangtan Central Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University, Xiangtan 411100, Hunan, China.

Wulong HuSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China.

Guofan PengSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China.

Shengen YiDepartment of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.

Jun ZhouSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China. Electronic address: junzhou82@hnu.edu.cn.

Jin Hai ZhengSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China. Electronic address: jhzheng@hnu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies globally. Recent breakthrough of synthetic biology stimulates the utilization of engineered bacteria for cancer diagnosis and treatment. We perform a comprehensive fecal metabolomic analysis in CRC mouse models and patients and identify ornithine as a specific metabolic biomarker for tumor development. We subsequently engineer an E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN)-based bioluminescent reporter via ornithine-responsive tumor detection. For therapeutic intervention, we construct a probiotic system that locally releases Dickkopf 3 (DKK3), a potent Wnt signaling antagonist to retard tumor growth. Oral administration of the bacteria demonstrates reduced tumor burden and improved survival outcomes in multiple preclinical models, and the anticancer efficacy is further confirmed in CRC patient-derived organoids and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Taken together, we develop a novel probiotic platform combing non-invasive diagnostic capability with targeted therapeutic delivery for CRC management, underscoring the strong potential for clinical translation and eventual application in preventive oncology.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsProbioticsWnt Signaling PathwayAnimalsbeta CateninCell Line, TumorEscherichia coliFemaleHumansIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsMiceXenograft Model Antitumor Assaysbeta CateninIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsCRC theranosticsDickkopf 3DKK3engineered probioticsornithine responsiveWnt/β-catenin inhibition

Identifiers

PMID42612617

DOI10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102913

PMCPMC13522751

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.