Some Colon Cancers May Be Caused by Diarrheal Bacteria

Bacteria that cause diarrhea may also be the cause of some colon cancers, according to research from John Hopkins University. The investigators believe that strains of the common Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) trick immune systems cells into allowing runaway colon tissue inflammation - a precursor to malignant tumor growth.


Bacteriodes fragilis is a enterotoxigenic bacterium widely known to cause diarrhea in children and adults in the developing and developed world. The bacteria, which typically reside in the gut, can cause no symptoms in some individuals, but others develop diarrhea and colon inflammation.

To find the connection between ETBF and colon cancer, John Hopkins researchers conducted a series of tests in mice bred to carry mutations in a colon cancer-causing gene. Their results show that mice infected with the bacteria developed diarrhea that resolved quickly, but after a week later, developed inflammation and small tumors in the colon.

The researchers also examined the bacteria’s effect on immune responses that may contribute to cancer development. In the infected mice, they found high levels of a protein known to act as a trigger for inflammation. One of these signals activates an immune cell known as Th17. This cell produces molecules known to cause prolonged inflammation of tissues.

In infected mice, Th17 activity was 100 times greater than normal. When researchers blocked the effects of Th17, they were able to reverse inflammation and tumor growth.

Immunologist and cancer researcher of Johns Hopkins, Drew Pardoll, M.D., Ph.D., believes, “If what we are seeing mice holds true in humans the chronic inflammation damages genetic material in the colon cells, allowing them to grow uncontrollably an develop into tumors earlier and more progressively than if they were not infected with
ETBF.”


Disclaimer

Featured Doctors

Oncologist

Dr. Michael Castro
Michael Castro

Personalized Cancer Medicine, PLLC
1329 Lusitana St. Suite 609
Honolulu, HI 96813

Call: (808) 521-0100

Colonoscopy Doctors in Texas

 The Texas Colonoscopy Centers
The Texas Colonoscopy Centers

The MicroSurgery Institute

,

Call: 888-493-1243

Chicago, Illinois Cancer Treatment Center

 Cancer Hospital in Zion
Cancer Hospital in Zion

Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois
2520 Elisha Avenue
Zion, IL 60099

Call: 800-403-7412

Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Yonkers

 Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center

Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Ave, 1st Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: (888) 544-1169

Radiosurgery Westchester & Rockland

Dr. Bennie Chiles III
Bennie Chiles III

Westchester Spine and Brain Surgery, PLLC
280 N. Central Ave Suite 235
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 914-332-0396

Find a Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Alfred Rosenbaum
Alfred Rosenbaum

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Endocrine Surgery Westchester, New York

 Center for Advanced Surgery | Colorectal, GI and Endocrine Surgery
Center for Advanced Surgery | Colorectal, GI and Endocrine Surgery

Lawrence Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: 888-468-9351

Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Yonkers

 Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center

Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Ave, 1st Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: (888) 544-1169

Breast Tumor Westchester, New York

Dr. Helen Pass, M.D.
Helen Pass, M.D.

Lawrence Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery
55 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: 888-468-9351

Cancer Alternatives Las Vegas, NV

Dr. Daniel Royal
Daniel Royal

Royal Medical Group
9065 S. Pecos Rd., Ste. 250
Henderson, NV 89074

Call: 888-664-7161

Breast Cancer Testing MRI/ CT Scan Yonkers

 Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | Women's Imaging Center

Lawrence Hospital Center | Outpatient Services
55 Palmer Ave, 1st Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: (888) 544-1169

Colon Cancer Westchester, NY

Dr. Tauseef Ahmed, M.D.
Tauseef Ahmed, M.D.

Westchester Oncology & Hematology
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Call: 888-370-4284

Breast Cancer Surgery New York

 The Columbia University Comprehensive Breast Center at Lawrence Hospital
The Columbia University Comprehensive Breast Center at Lawrence Hospital

Lawrence Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: 888-468-9351

Find a Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Alfred Rosenbaum
Alfred Rosenbaum

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Bronx

Dr. Lucia Boselli
Lucia Boselli

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Oncology/ Oncologist Hawthorne, NY

Dr. Asim Aijaz, M.D.
Asim Aijaz, M.D.

Westchester Oncology & Hematology
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Call: 888-370-4284

MRI / Cancer Detection

Dr. Alfred Rosenbaum
Alfred Rosenbaum

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

MRI / Cancer Detection

Dr. Alfred Rosenbaum
Alfred Rosenbaum

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Bronx

Dr. Lucia Boselli
Lucia Boselli

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

oncology

RecoverNow

,

Call: 888-798-5181

Breast Cancer Surgery

Dr. Nella I. Shapiro
Nella I. Shapiro

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Cancer Care Bronx, NY

 Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
Eastchester Center for Cancer Care

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Blood Cancer Treatment Westchester

Dr. Delong Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
Delong Liu, M.D., Ph.D.

Westchester Oncology & Hematology
19 Bradhurst Ave, Ste 2100
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Call: 888-370-4284

Breast Cancer Treatment Bronxville, Westchester County, New York

Dr. Preya Ananthakrishnan, M.D.
Preya Ananthakrishnan, M.D.

Lawrence Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery
55 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: 888-468-9351

Hematologic Cancer Doctor, NY

Dr. John C. Nelson, M.D.
John C. Nelson, M.D.

Westchester Oncology & Hematology
19 Bradhurst Ave, Ste 2100
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Call: 888-370-4284