The Johns Hopkins University

Christine Craig

Drew M Pardoll

Cynthia L Sears

Elizabeth Wick

Compositions for the treatment of colorectal cancer target bacterial biofilms in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of treatment include one or more agents which target bacteria and the bacterial biofilms.

Bacterial biofilms and cancer

Methods of identifying subjects at increased risk of cancer, based upon detection of biofilms and/or biofilm-associated microbes within a subject, are disclosed. Therapies designed to prevent formation and/or reduce the size of biofilms in a subject identified to be at increased risk of cancer based upon detection of biofilms and/or biofilm-associated microbes are disclosed. In particular embodiments, the invention provides for identification of a subject at elevated risk of developing or having colorectal cancer and/or a colorectal adenoma, based upon detection of a biofilm and/or biofilm-associated bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract of the subject (optionally, within a biopsy specimen and/or stool sample of such subject). Therapies involving administration of an antibiotic agent and/or a probiotic agent to a subject, to prevent or reduce biofilm formation within the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, optionally provided in combination with additional cancer therapy, are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Christine Craig