The Anisakis parasite is associated with colon cancer

A study reveals the tumorigenic potential of the products released by the larvae of this parasite. The research will facilitate the identification of the disease and the creation of new prevention methods

A study led by the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (Fisabio), carried out with patients from the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia, indicates that people with cancer of the colon have higher levels of antibodies against the Anisakis parasite.

«Anisakis is a nematode that parasitizes marine mammals. "Humans can be accidental hosts when consuming raw fish."

Anisakis is a nematode, a type of worm that parasitizes the stomachs of marine mammals. The eggs produced by the females develop in water. Some marine crustaceans ingest these larvae and, after this, the fish that eat these crustaceans become infected.

Humans can act as accidental hosts by consuming raw or undercooked fish. This foodborne parasite causes serious public health problems around the world.

The parasites located in the gastric or intestinal mucosa They can cause gastrointestinal involvement. In addition, anisakis can also cause reactions such as hives, angioedema, asthma and anaphylaxis.

La Chronic inflamation as a result of persistent infection it can cause DNA damage, increased expression of oncogenes, decreased apoptosis (cell death process) and immunosuppression.

These are some of the reasons for cancer induction. For this reason, the hypothesis of a relationship between Anisakis and cancer, because cellular responses to products released by Anisakis larvae could lead to inflammation and DNA damage.

“The higher levels of antibodies reveal that these patients have come into contact with the larvae of this parasite to a greater extent than the rest of the population, suggesting an association between Anisakis and colon cancer,” he points out. Carmen Cuellar, co-author of the article and head of the Immunobiology and Parasitic Immunomodulation group at the UCM.

«More than three decades ago it was postulated that Anisakis could be related to gastric cancer, but until now there was no evidence of its relationship with the colon»

Carmen Cuéllar (UCM)

"More than three decades ago, it was even postulated that Anisakis could be related to gastric cancer, proving the tumorigenic potential of the products released by the larvae, but to date there was no evidence to suggest a relationship between this fish parasite and colon cancer,” adds Cuéllar.

Reduced immune response

To carry out the study, published in Parasitology Research, he recruited 92 patients with colon cancer diagnosed at the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia and were included 60 healthy subjects without cancer (control group).

First, the blood cells were examined (analysis of the T lymphocytes, cells that help protect the body from infections and fight cancer-and evaluation of apoptosis) in the hematology laboratory of the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital.

Later, in the laboratory of the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology of the UCM, the antigen was prepared from Anisakis larvae extracted from blue whiting and the determination of specific antibodies was carried out in the serum of colon cancer patients and in that of the healthy control group.

«The study also describes the decrease in the immune response of these cancer patients against this tumorigenic agent»

Francisca López-Chuliá (Hematology Department, Arnau de Vilanov Hospital)

“The T lymphocytes analyzed in this work are part of innate immunity and therefore a reflection of the patients' immune response. A decrease in these lymphocytes as described in this article reveals not only the relationship between Anisakis and colon cancer but also the decrease in the immune response of these cancer patients against this tumorigenic agent," he explains. Francisca López Chuliá, co-author of the study.

«In our group we had already described correlations between some parasites and colon cancer; even in the early and premalignant phases. "This study reveals the possibility of identifying people with a greater susceptibility to the disease and the potential of generating new mechanisms to prevent it," he concludes. Antonio Llombart, main author of the article and head of the 'Clinical and Molecular Oncology' group at the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital.

Reference: Andreu-Ballester JC et al. «Anti-Anisakis antibodies in colon cancer patients and their relationship with γδ T-cells». Parasitology Research, 2024

Source: SINC Agency

Image: SINC

Source: UCM

Rights: Creative Commons