Thema: Presse: Infections may trigger adult brain tumours
Presse: Infections may trigger adult brain tumours
Anne[a]
24.01.2006 10:17:43
Monday, 23 January 2006
Infections may trigger adult brain tumours
Infections could play a key role in triggering certain types of adult brain cancer, University research suggests.
A British and Dutch team led by Dr Richard McNally of Newcastle University analysed a database of adult brain tumours diagnosed in patients from the North Brabant province of the Netherlands between 1983 and 2001. The team found clusters of cases of glioma tumours, which make up about half of all brain tumours, at different time intervals in different geographical locations.
This 'space-time clustering' of cases is a pattern typical of diseases caused by infections, adding weight to the theory that outbreaks of viruses are a potential contributory cause of brain tumours. Diseases caused by more constant environmental factors, such as pollution, produce clusters of cases in one place over a much longer time period.
However, the research team stresses it is too early to say exactly which infections could be the cause, and say that more research is needed to pinpoint what they are.
The findings, published in the European Journal of Cancer, may potentially be a step towards developing better preventative measures for cancer and may also result in better treatment.
Dr McNally, of Newcastle University's School of Clinical Medical Sciences (Child Health), said: "Very little is known about the cause of brain tumours and we think our research brings us closer to understanding more about this disease.
However, he stressed that people cannot 'catch cancer'. Infections are only likely to trigger cancer in a very small number of individuals who are already genetically susceptible to the disease.
The research was funded by Cancer Research UK, the Dutch Cancer Society, and the Christie Hospital Research Endowment Fund.
© 2005 University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Infections may trigger adult brain tumours
Infections could play a key role in triggering certain types of adult brain cancer, University research suggests.
A British and Dutch team led by Dr Richard McNally of Newcastle University analysed a database of adult brain tumours diagnosed in patients from the North Brabant province of the Netherlands between 1983 and 2001. The team found clusters of cases of glioma tumours, which make up about half of all brain tumours, at different time intervals in different geographical locations.
This 'space-time clustering' of cases is a pattern typical of diseases caused by infections, adding weight to the theory that outbreaks of viruses are a potential contributory cause of brain tumours. Diseases caused by more constant environmental factors, such as pollution, produce clusters of cases in one place over a much longer time period.
However, the research team stresses it is too early to say exactly which infections could be the cause, and say that more research is needed to pinpoint what they are.
The findings, published in the European Journal of Cancer, may potentially be a step towards developing better preventative measures for cancer and may also result in better treatment.
Dr McNally, of Newcastle University's School of Clinical Medical Sciences (Child Health), said: "Very little is known about the cause of brain tumours and we think our research brings us closer to understanding more about this disease.
However, he stressed that people cannot 'catch cancer'. Infections are only likely to trigger cancer in a very small number of individuals who are already genetically susceptible to the disease.
The research was funded by Cancer Research UK, the Dutch Cancer Society, and the Christie Hospital Research Endowment Fund.
© 2005 University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Anne[a]
