A recent study conducted by the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center has brought new insights into the potential connection between trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, and advanced prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is a prevalent concern, particularly in Hawai’i, where it ranks as the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. However, the precise factors contributing to its occurrence have remained unclear.
Previous research has presented conflicting theories regarding the role of T. vaginalis in the development of prostate cancer, with most studies focusing on predominantly white populations.
Led by Brenda Hernandez, researchers from the UH Cancer Center conducted a case-control study nested within the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC) to investigate whether having a T. vaginalis seropositive status is associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer in a diverse population.
Hernandez emphasized the significance of diversifying study populations, stating, “Over 800 Hawai’i men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Identifying how to lower risk factors is critical to informing future prevention strategies.”
The study expanded its research scope beyond predominantly white populations by including Japanese-American, white, African-American, Native Hawaiian, and Latino populations in Hawai’i and California.
This approach aimed to account for known variations in prostate cancer risk based on race and geographic location.
The researchers analyzed blood samples from participants in the Multiethnic Cohort Study, comparing individuals diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer to those without prostate cancer.
The study’s findings revealed no statistically significant association between T. vaginalis infection and advanced prostate cancer. Even when focusing on cases of advanced prostate cancer with tumors that had spread beyond the prostate, the association remained non-significant, challenging previous suggestions of a potential infectious link.
Prostate cancer is characterized by limited known risk factors, including older age, race, and family history, as previously shown in the Multiethnic Cohort Study and other research.
In light of these findings, the research team plans to explore other potential roles of infection-related inflammation in the development of various cancers, including prostate cancer.
Understanding the factors contributing to prostate cancer and its different manifestations is essential for the development of effective prevention strategies and treatment options.
While this study challenges the link between trichomoniasis and advanced prostate cancer, ongoing research will continue to shed light on the complexities of cancer development and risk factors.
If you care about prostate cancer, please read studies about 5 types of bacteria linked to aggressive prostate cancer, and new strategy to treat advanced prostate cancer.
For more information about prostate cancer, please see recent studies about new way to lower risk of prostate cancer spread, and results showing three-drug combo boosts survival in metastatic prostate cancer.
The research findings can be found in Cancers.
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