27August2009

Found bacterium - the causer of colon cancer


bacteriumResearchers from Johns Hopkins University, United States, argue that the bacterium which causes diarrhea in children and adults can cause colon cancer. Their study showed that strains of Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) affect immune cells, and this leads to inflammation of the colon tissues. This inflammation is considered to be precancerous.
According to immunologist Dr. Drew Pardoll, infection leads to a slight inflammatory process, which is present for a long time.
As it was noticed, ETBF bacterium presents in the intestine of 20-35% adults and children, and in 40% of people with colon cancer. Scientists believe that bacterium may interact with other intestine microorganisms and cause the development of cancerous tumors.
Currently unknown whether using standard antibiotics help to control the Bacteroides fragilis. However, scientists hope that their discovery will help to create new drugs. In the future, they believe, will develop vaccines and drugs that can neutralize the toxicity of the bacteria and prevent inflammation.
Experiments conducted on mice with the gene that causes colon cancer, and their results were published in the Nature Medicine journal.

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