- NEW DELHI — New research has revealed that Schistosoma haematobium (S.
haematobium), a parasitic infection affecting millions globally, can trigger
cancer-related gene activity in the cervical lining, with changes becoming even
more pronounced after treatment.
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- Presented at the ‘ESCMID Global 2025’ in Austria, this
pivotal study sheds new light on how this often-overlooked parasitic disease
may contribute to cervical cancer risk at the molecular level.
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- Certain cancer-related biological pathways became more
active post-treatment, particularly those involved in inflammation, tissue
remodelling and the breakdown of protective barriers in the cervix.
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- These changes were linked to increased blood vessel
formation, activation of tumour-related processes, and reduced programmed cell
death (apoptosis)—a key mechanism for eliminating abnormal cells.
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- “The findings suggest that infection may trigger molecular
changes that make women more vulnerable to cancer-related processes in the
cervix, especially after treatment,” explained Dr. Anna Maria Mertelsmann, lead
study author.
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- One particularly concerning observation was the
downregulation of genes responsible for maintaining cervical tissue integrity,
including claudins and tight junction proteins. This loss of protective
function could facilitate HPV infection and persistence, a major risk factor
for cervical cancer, said Mertelsmann.
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- The research shows that women who received “praziquantel”
treatment exhibited more genetic changes linked to cancer than those with an
active infection,” Dr Mertelsmann added. “This raises critical questions about
the long-term effects of treatment and highlights the need for careful
post-treatment monitoring.”
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- This study, published in the journal BEYOND, serves as an
important first step in understanding the role of S. haematobium in cervical
cancer, and a larger study following 180 women over 12 months is currently
underway to confirm these findings.
