Scientists have identified an unexpected cause of childhood cancer

An international team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding the mysterious connection between malaria and Burkitt's lymphoma - the most common childhood cancer in equatorial Africa and New Guinea. As it turns out, the infection caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum directly contributes to the development of this malignant tumor. The research results are published in the scientific journal The Journal of Immunology (JI).

Burkitt's lymphoma attacks B-cells of the immune system, which are responsible for producing antibodies. Despite the rarity of the disease on a global scale, in regions with high prevalence of malaria, its frequency increases 10-fold. Notably, among all types of malaria parasites, only P. falciparum demonstrates a connection with this type of cancer.

"Now we have evidence that malaria plays a direct role in increasing the risk of childhood cancer," emphasized the research leader Dr. Rosemary Rochford, a professor of immunology and microbiology from the University of Colorado. - "This means that measures to reduce the spread of malaria can simultaneously reduce the incidence of Burkitt's lymphoma".

The key discovery of the scientists was finding an elevated level of the enzyme AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) in B-cells of children suffering from malaria. This enzyme participates in the process that causes genetic mutation - the translocation of the MYC gene, which leads to the development of malignant neoplasm. The researchers confirmed that the enzyme is not only produced in excess but also remains functional - meaning it can trigger the mutation process.

During the study, scientists compared blood samples from children with mild malaria (without complications) and healthy children. The difference in AID levels proved to be significant.

"This is another strong argument for the decisive role of AID in the development of Burkitt's lymphoma and, possibly, other types of lymphomas," concluded Dr. Rochford.