Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

Published in

MDPI, Microorganisms, 11(8), p. 1665, 2020

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111665

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Cryptosporidium and Colon Cancer: Cause or Consequence?

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

The number of cancers attributable to infectious agents represents over 20% of the global cancer burden. The apicomplexan intracellular parasite Cryptosporidium is currently considered one of the major causes of mild and severe diarrhea worldwide. However, less attention has been paid to its tumorigenic potential despite the high exposure of humans and animals to this ubiquitous parasite. Herein, we discuss the potential causal link between Cryptosporidium infection and digestive cancer, with particular emphasis on colon cancer, based on increasing clinical, epidemiological and experimental pieces of evidence supporting this association. In addition, we highlight the current knowledge about the potential mechanisms by which this parasite may contribute to cell transformation and parasite-induced cancer.