Title: Two Specific Strains of E. coli Linked to Higher Cancer Rates in Industrially Developed Countries
Certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) may contribute to higher rates of colorectal, bladder, and prostate cancer in countries like the UK, according to a study published in Lancet Microbe. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK and the University of Helsinki in Finland suggest that treating or vaccinating against these bacterial strains could potentially reduce cancer risk.
The study analyzed two dominant E. coli strains that produce a substance previously identified as a risk factor for colorectal cancer. These strains are more prevalent in industrially developed countries, where they cause higher rates of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections.
Investigators found that the rates of certain cancers in these countries could be associated with these two E. coli strains, which produce a substance known as colibactin. They hypothesize that variations in geographical cancer incidence may be affected by differing population exposure to these bacterial strains. However, further research, including large-scale tumor sampling, is needed to clarify colibactin’s role in cancer development.
Colibactin causes DNA breaks in human cells and has been linked to cancer in colorectal patients. The study suggests that the two E. coli strains producing colibactin also play a role in urinary tract cancers, as these bacteria commonly infect that area.
While E. coli is typically harmless, it can cause infections ranging from mild to life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream due to a weakened immune system. The study’s first author, Dr. Tommi Mäklin, emphasizes the importance of understanding how different E. coli strains affect humans. Access to global genomic data about E. coli strains in specific areas may uncover new trends and possibilities, such as the potential link between industrially developed countries’ strains and certain cancer risks.
Strategies targeting these two E. coli strains, like vaccines or probiotics, could be effective in reducing cancer risk by preventing their circulation. Such interventions could also decrease infection rates and antibiotic use, as these strains are leading causes of UTIs and bloodstream infections in industrialized countries.
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