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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
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An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
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Is Mycobacterium tuberculosis carcinogenic to humans?
Deodutta Roy1, Nasreen Z Ehtesham2, Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain3,4
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacteria causing tuberculosis (TB), exhibits cancer-causing properties similar to known carcinogens. This suggests Mtb may be a complete human pulmonary carcinogen, potentially initiating and promoting tumor growth.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
- Epidemiological studies link TB to increased lung cancer (LC) risk.
- Carcinogenic agents share characteristics with Mtb infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Mtb's carcinogenic potential.
- To explore shared cancer hallmarks between TB and LC.
- To postulate Mtb as a complete human pulmonary carcinogen.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological case-control, cohort, and meta-analysis studies.
- Analysis of mechanistic data on Mtb's effect on cells.
- Comparison of cancer hallmarks induced by Mtb and known carcinogens.
Main Results:
- Mtb shares key characteristics with IARC classified carcinogenic agents.
- Mice exposed to Mtb aerosols developed squamous cell carcinoma.
- Shared hallmarks include chronic inflammation, genomic instability, and replicative immortality.
Conclusions:
- Mtb exhibits properties of a complete human pulmonary carcinogen.
- Mtb may initiate and promote tumor development.
- Further research could impact TB/cancer management and personalized medicine.
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