# A distinct Fusobacterium nucleatum clade dominates the colorectal cancer niche

*PRI Rank #1 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Gut microbiota and health Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/gut-microbiota-and-health/2026/rank-1*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #1 |
| 18m citations | 222 |
| Journal | Nature |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41586-024-07182-w |
| Corresponding authors | Susan Bullman, Christopher D. Johnston |
| Institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Gut microbiota and health Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/gut-microbiota-and-health/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1038/s41586-024-07182-w](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07182-w)

## Topics

Fusobacterium nucleatum · Colorectal cancer · Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies animalis · Fna C1 clade · Fna C2 clade · closed genome sequencing · pangenomic analysis · CRC-enriched genetic factors · tumor colonization · pathoadaptation · Colorectal adenoma · Metabolomic profiling · Tumor microbiome · Metagenomic analysis · tumor-adjacent tissue comparison · gastrointestinal tract colonization · cancer recurrence · patient prognosis · oral cavity microbiome · clade bifurcation

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Gut microbiota and health Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/gut-microbiota-and-health/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```