Scientists have discovered new types of bacteria associated with aggressive prostate cancer. At this stage it is unclear
“We already know about some close connections betweeninfections and cancer,” explains Colin Cooper, lead researcher on the project. - For example, the presence of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the digestive tract can lead to stomach ulcers and is associated with stomach cancer. Also, some types of the HPV virus can cause cervical cancer. "We wanted to find out if bacteria might be linked to how prostate cancer grows and spreads."
To explore the relationship between bacteria andprostate cancer, researchers collected prostate tissue and urine samples from more than 600 men. Various methods have been used to detect bacteria, from whole-genome DNA sequencing to anaerobic culture and fluorescence microscopy.
Ultimately, scientists discovered that severaltypes of bacteria are associated with the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer, among them Porphyromonas sp. nov., Varibaculum sp. nov., Peptoniphilus sp. nov., and Fenollaria sp. nov. The presence of one or more of these bacteria may be associated with faster disease progression.
Hayley Luxton, prostate cancer specialist atUK, said finding a bacterial cause of prostate cancer would be of great importance. In an interview with The Guardian, she noted that the research could “revolutionize” the treatment of prostate cancer.
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