The common parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which people get from contaminated water and undercooked or undercooked meat, may be associated with rare brain cancer.
(CNN) ––
A common parasite, which people acquire from contaminated water and undercooked or undercooked meat, could be linked to a rare brain cancer, researchers reported Monday.
The scientists found evidence that people infected with
Toxoplasma gondii
, or
T. gondii
, are at increased risk of developing rare, but highly fatal gliomas.
The parasite can sometimes form cysts in the brain.
And the inflammation linked to these cysts could be responsible, the researchers reported in the
International Journal of Cancer.
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The team was led by epidemiologist James Hodge of the population sciences department of the American Cancer Society.
Also from Anna Coghill of the department of cancer epidemiology at the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute in Florida.
The researchers examined the relationship between antibodies to
T. gondii
in blood samples and the risk of glioma in two groups of people.
111 people enrolled in the nutritional cohort of the II American Cancer Prevention Study participated in the research.
Additionally, 646 individuals who were on the Norwegian Cancer Registry were included.
"In both cohorts, we observed a suggestive positive association between seropositivity for
T. gondii
antibodies
and the risk of glioma," the investigators wrote.
The glioma associations were stronger for people who had higher levels of antibodies to T. gondii.
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Findings on the parasite and its link to brain cancer
The
T. gondii
is a parasite usually infect humans through contaminated food or water.
Also through raw or undercooked meat from infected animals.
Between 20 and 50% of the world's population has been exposed to the parasite, according to the study.
Gliomas make up the majority ––80% –– of malignant brain tumors.
Glioblastomas are the most common subtype.
They have 5-year relative survival rates of just 5%.
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'Our findings provide the first prospective evidence of an association between
T. gondii
infection
and glioma risk.
Results that should be confirmed in independent studies, ”the researchers wrote.
'This does not mean that
T. gondii
definitely causes glioma in all situations.
Some people with glioma do not have antibodies to
T. gondii
and vice versa, ”Hodge explained in a statement.
"The findings suggest that individuals with higher exposure to the
T. gondii
parasite
are more likely to develop glioma," Coghill added.
“However, it should be noted that the absolute risk of being diagnosed with a glioma remains low.
And these findings need to be replicated in a larger and more diverse group of people.
If the study findings are replicated, "reducing exposure to this common foodborne pathogen would offer the first tangible opportunity for the prevention of this highly aggressive brain tumor," the researchers noted.
CNN's Katie Hunt contributed to this report.
Cancer Parasite