Researchers from Denmark and Australia have discovered a previously unknown virus that may be linked to the development of colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in developed countries.
Colon cancer is attacking younger generations: a medical mystery that is causing global concern.
Colon cancer is attacking younger generations: a medical mystery that is causing global concern.
Communications Medicine notes that Bacteroides fragilis bacteria have long puzzled scientists, because on the one hand they always discover it in colorectal cancer patients, and on the other hand it is considered one of the microorganisms found in the intestines of many healthy people.
To understand this discrepancy, researchers analyzed the gut microbiota of participants in a large Danish population study using gene sequencing techniques. They discovered that the bacteria in cancer patients carried a specific virus called a bacterial bacteriophage. These viruses infect bacteria and use them to replicate.
The scientists then tested their initial observation on a larger sample of 877 people, both with and without colorectal cancer. The analysis revealed that this bacterial bacterium was almost twice as prevalent in colorectal cancer patients.
Scientists believe this discovery adds a new dimension of complexity to the study of gut microbes. While researchers previously analyzed primarily the composition of bacteria, they must now also consider the viruses lurking within them.
According to them, this newly discovered bacteriophage may find practical applications in the future. Therefore, they suggest using it as a biomarker for the early detection of individuals at increased risk of colorectal cancer. For example, certain stool tests could detect the presence of the virus even before symptoms appear.
