0
0
New Delhi, Apr 25: A significant breakthrough by US researchers has shed light on the long-suspected connection between malaria and a specific type of childhood cancer. The study reveals how infection with the malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, can contribute to the development of Burkitt lymphoma (BL), a cancer primarily affecting children’s B cells.
While the association between malaria and higher rates of Burkitt lymphoma, particularly in regions like equatorial Africa and New Guinea where malaria is endemic, has been recognized since 1958, the exact biological process driving this link remained unclear until now.
Published in The Journal of Immunology, the research demonstrates that infection with P. falciparum leads to increased levels of an enzyme called AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) within B cells. This enzyme plays a critical role in triggering the specific genetic mutation, known as MYC gene translocation, which is a defining characteristic of Burkitt lymphoma.
Dr. Rosemary Rochford, who led the research, highlighted the significance of the findings, stating they underscore AID’s crucial role in the development of BL. She also suggested that this mechanism might be relevant to other forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
This discovery holds substantial implications for public health strategies in malaria-prone areas. By understanding the mechanism, researchers suggest that effectively reducing the prevalence of malaria could potentially lead to a decrease in the incidence of Burkitt lymphoma in children. The study paves the way for exploring new interventions that could target this link, potentially alleviating the dual burden of malaria and childhood cancer in affected communities.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding a study published in The Journal of Immunology linking Plasmodium falciparum malaria and Burkitt lymphoma.
