Abstract
Infection with Schistosoma haematobium leads to urogenital schistosomiasis, which has been correlated with the occurrence of bladder cancer. However, mechanisms responsible for this association have not yet been clearly identified. In this short review, we provide an update, highlighting the most recent studies on schistosome-associated bladder cancer, including those that focus on identifying changes in host biology during S. haematobium infection, as well as studies for the identification of potentially pro-carcinogenic parasite molecules, and we offer a discussion on some possible mechanisms driving schistosomal bladder cancer.
Highlights
Specialty section: This article was submitted to Infectious Diseases – Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment, a section of the journal Frontiers in Medicine
We provide an update, highlighting the most recent studies on schistosome-associated bladder cancer, including those that focus on identifying changes in host biology during S. haematobium infection, as well as studies for the identification of potentially pro-carcinogenic parasite molecules, and we offer a discussion on some possible mechanisms driving schistosomal bladder cancer
Regarding the cost of treatment, a recent cost analysis estimated about 18 million USD for praziquantel administration (0.16 USD per person for approximately 112 million people infected with S. haematobium), compared to an annual incrementing cost of 20 million USD for the treatment of schistosomal bladder cancer [12]
Summary
As with other members of the Schistosoma genus, infection with S. haematobium leads to schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease affecting more than 200 million people [1]. Regarding the cost of treatment, a recent cost analysis estimated about 18 million USD for praziquantel administration (0.16 USD per person for approximately 112 million people infected with S. haematobium), compared to an annual incrementing cost of 20 million USD for the treatment of schistosomal bladder cancer (an estimated 3-4 patients out of 100,000 people infected with S. haematobium develop bladder cancer each year) [12]. Some recent studies have used bladder tumor biopsy samples, with and without
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