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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
09:43
Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Published on: August 1, 2025
Links between Propionibacterium acnes and prostate cancer
Beverley A Shannon1, Kerryn L Garrett, Ronald J Cohen
1Tissugen Pty Ltd, Perth, Western Australia.
Future Oncology (London, England)
|March 28, 2006
Summary
Propionibacterium acnes may be a cause of prostate cancer. This bacterium was found in many prostate cancer samples and is linked to inflammation, suggesting an infectious origin for this common cancer.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Prostate cancer prevalence increases significantly with age, with over 75% of men over 70 showing histological evidence.
- The high prevalence suggests a common causative agent or multiple carcinogenic cofactors.
- Certain characteristics of prostate cancer hint at an infectious etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) as a potential carcinogen in prostate cancer.
- To determine the association between P. acnes and prostate cancer development and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Culturing P. acnes from prostate glands.
- Assessing the association between P. acnes presence and prostatic inflammation.
- Analyzing P. acnes subtype prevalence in the male urinary tract.
Main Results:
- P. acnes was cultured from a significant proportion of prostate glands with cancer.
- A significant positive association was found between P. acnes and prostatic inflammation.
- Specific P. acnes subtypes linked to prostate cancer are prevalent in the male urinary tract post-puberty.
Conclusions:
- Propionibacterium acnes is a strong candidate for a causative agent in prostate cancer.
- The bacterium's ability to cause persistent, low-grade inflammation supports its role in cancer development.
- P. acnes infection may be a key factor in the high incidence of prostate cancer.
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