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A link has been found between trichomoniasis and prostate cancer
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Scientists from the School of Molecular Biology at Washington State University have discovered a mechanism linking trichomoniasis to prostate cancer.
Of all the sexually transmitted diseases, trichomoniasis is the most common disease. The number of people infected with this disease is about 170 million per year.
Women who contract the infection risk having severe complications during pregnancy and consequences including miscarriage.
In men, this disease often occurs without symptoms, so it is very difficult to detect.
In men infected with this type of infection, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases by 40%.
Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism that significantly increases the risk of prostate cancer in men
Scientists first suggested a link between this type of malignant tumor and trichomoniasis back in 2006. Researchers from Washington State University also studied this relationship.
After the publication of the research results, the scientists' theory was refuted, but specialists from Harvard University confirmed it again.
To dot all the i's and cross all the t's, scientists decided to study this problem in more detail.
In the course of new research, the authors discovered that the vital activity of trichomonads is accompanied by a cellular signaling cascade involving proteins such as PIM1, c-MYC and HMGA1.
At a certain stage of prostate inflammation, provoked by the penetrating 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 that causes trichomoniasis, Trichomonas vaginalis, has the ability to "switch on" and "switch off" a number of genes. It starts a cascade by attaching to healthy cells.
"It's like a light switch that you can turn on and off to control the light. If you can't control the brightness, you can go blind. That's the real problem," says Professor John Alderete.
The study authors note that identifying this mechanism will help create new and more effective methods for detecting and treating prostate cancer in men.
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