Study links common childhood virus to bladder cancer

UK researchers have found a common childhood virus that can trigger DNA damage leading to bladder cancer later in lifeTackling the virus early could open the door to preventing bladder cancer later said the team from the University of YorkThe study published in Science Advances revealed that after being contracted in childhood the BK virus usually lies dormant in the kidneyBK virus infections do not have obvious symptoms but physicians have learned a lot about the virus from the experiences of kidney transplant recipients who have to take immunosuppressants to prevent the immune system from targeting their new kidneyIn laboratory studies using the human tissue that lines the urinary tract urothelium the team observed DNA damage patterns caused by the cells antiviral defences after controlled exposure to BK virus the childhood infection identified earlier as lying dormant in the kidneyIn this fight against the BK virus friendly fire from enzymes meant to damage the virus can cause collateral damage in the cells own DNAThis evidence supports a theory in which an individuals own antiviral response to BK virus infection causes the DNA mutations that can lead to cancerIn other types of virusrelated cancer such as cervical cancer we know that virus DNA combines with our own genetic material to drive tumour development Our results have shown that in the bladder the tissues defensive response to the virus causes DNA changes which can lead to cancerrdquo said Dr Simon Baker from the UniversityWe found that DNA damage happens not only in infected cells but also in surrounding bystander cells witnessing infection in their neighbours This is important because it might explain why most bladder cancers have no sign of the virus in them when they are diagnosed many years later Baker addedThe BK virus usually lies dormant in the kidney Immunosuppressants can allow dormant BK virus to reactivate damaging the kidneys ureter and bladderCurrent bladder cancer prevention work asks people to stop smoking The findings provide a new opportunity to help prevent bladder cancer through the identification and control of the BK virus earlierThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever