Study links COVID and flu infections to awakening dormant breast cancer cells

Summarised by Centrist

New research suggests that common respiratory infections, including COVID and influenza, may awaken dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs and promote metastatic disease. 

Experiments using mice showed an increase in spreading cancer cells after infection, driven by inflammation involving the protein interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Breast cancer survivors who contracted COVID faced a higher risk of developing metastatic lung cancer and an increased chance of cancer-related death, particularly in the months immediately following infection.

Co-author Dr Julio Aguirre-Ghiso noted the importance of discussing concerns with healthcare providers. Lead researcher James DeGregori said the immune system may inadvertently protect awakened cancer cells, illustrating the need to better understand immune suppression mechanisms to improve treatments.

Editor’s note: This study examines explicitly how infections like COVID and influenza may awaken dormant cancer cells. It does not investigate vaccines as a potential trigger. The focus remains on the effects of respiratory infections rather than vaccination.

Read more over at MedPage Today

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