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A link between trichomoniasis and prostate cancer has been found
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from the School of Molecular Biology at the University of Washington have discovered a mechanism linking trichomoniasis to prostate cancer.
Of all the diseases that are transmitted sexually, trichomoniasis is the most common disease. The number of people infected with this disease is about 170 million people a year.
Women who have contracted an infection, risk having serious complications during pregnancy and the consequences until the miscarriage.
In men, often this disease occurs without symptoms, so it is very difficult to identify it.
Infected with this type of infection of the stronger sex, the risk of prostate cancer increases by 40%.
Specialists have discovered a molecular mechanism that significantly increases the risk of developing prostate cancer in men
For the first time, scientists suggested a connection between this type of malignant tumor and trichomoniasis back in 2006. This relationship was also studied by staff from the University of Washington.
After the publication of the publication with the results of the research, the theory of scientists was refuted, but experts from Harvard University again gave her confirmation.
To arrange all the dots over "i" scientists decided to study this problem in more detail.
In the course of new research, the authors found that the life of Trichomonads is accompanied by a cellular signal cascade, in which proteins such as PIM1, c-MYC and HMGA1 are involved.
At a certain stage of the inflammation of the prostate, provoked by the penetrated microbes of trichomonads, scientists discovered molecules of the recombinant protein PIM-1, which provokes the growth of cancer cells, and also supports their active activity.
According to experts, the virus-causative agent Trichomonas vaginalis trichomoniasis has the ability to "turn" and "turn off" a number of genes. He starts the cascade, attaching himself to healthy cells.
"It's like a light switch, with which you can monitor the lighting. If you can not control the brightness, you can go blind. This is the main problem, "says Professor John Alderet.
The authors of the studies note that the identification of this mechanism will help create new and more effective methods of detecting and treating prostate cancer in men.
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