Caitlyn Stulpin , 2025-04-14 17:53:00
April 14, 2025
2 min read
Key takeaways:
- S. haematobium can trigger cancer-related gene activity in the cervix, even after treatment.
- This can lead to an increased risk for cervical cancer.
VIENNA — Schistosoma haematobium can trigger cancer-related gene activity in the cervix, increasing the risk for cervical cancer, according to data presented at the ESCMID Global meeting.
“Our understanding of local mucosal effects of S. haematobium infection in the cervix remain almost entirely unknown even though we are well aware of the existence of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS). In particular, we don’t know what happens after treatment,” Anna M. Mertelsmann, MD, clinical fellow in infectious diseases at the University of Zurich, told Healio.
“There are data showing that at least the clinical signs of FGS remain in about 70% of women 12 months after treatment. We need to understand if adjunctive treatment is necessary to cure FGS post treatment and understand how we could aid mucosal healing,” she said.
To better understand S. haematobium infection and the effect it could have on genital tissue, Mertelsmann and colleagues analyzed cervical tissue samples from 20 women with S. haematobium infection who were treated with praziquantel and 19 women without infection. These samples were collected at baseline and again 4 to 12 months after praziquantel treatment.
According to a press release issued at ESCMID Global, the researchers then utilized RNA sequencing and gene expression analysis to identify links between S. haematobium infection and cancer-related pathways.
Overall, nine genes were identified that were expressed differently in women with S. haematobium infection vs. those without. Of those nine genes, the researchers identified several that were linked to cancer, including:
- BLK proto-oncogene, which can contribute to tumor formation;
- CXCL4, which is downregulated in HPV-associated head, neck and cervical cancers;
- long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 2084, which is a prognostic marker in head, neck and colon cancers;
- NR1D1, which is upregulated in bladder cancer;
- TCL1 family AKT coactivator A, which is linked to T-cell and B-cell lymphomas; and
- trichohyalin, encoded by the TCHH gene, which is involved in keratin complex formation and is upregulated in certain cancers.
Additionally, the study revealed that 23 genes changed in women who cleared the infection after treatment and 29 genes were reportedly different between women after treatment vs. those who were never infected.
Mertelsmann explained that in the 4 to 12 months after treatment, women with parasite clearance had an “upregulation of oncogenic pathways, oncogenic and inflammatory genes, as well as inhibition of genes pertinent for epithelial integrity.”
In a press release the researchers explained that these changes can be tied to increased blood vessel formation, activation of tumor-related processes and reduced programmed cell death, which they wrote is a “key mechanism for eliminated abnormal cells.”
Based on these findings, Mertelsmann concluded that S. haematobium infection could increase cervical cancer risk.
“Longer and larger studies are needed to understand the impact this really has on cervical cancer and HPV acquisition and persistence,” she said.
References:
- Mertelsmann A, et al. Abstract 00228. Presented at: ESCMID Global; April 11-15, 2025; Vienna.
- Parasitic infection and treatment linked to cancer-related gene activity in the cervix. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1079324. Posted April 12, 2025. Accessed April 12, 2025.
For more information:
Anna M. Mertelsmann, MD, can be reached at annamertelsmann@gmail.com.
Sources/Disclosures
Collapse
Mertelsmann AM, et al. Abstract 00228. Presented at: ESCMID Global; April 11-15, 2025; Vienna.
Disclosures:
The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.