In a groundbreaking study unveiled at the ESCMID Global 2025 conference, researchers from Switzerland have revealed alarming findings regarding the cervix and its link to the common parasitic infection, Schistosoma haematobium.

This study highlights how this parasite, known for causing bladder cancer, may also increase the risk of cervical cancer by altering gene activity in infected women, particularly after treatment.

Schistosoma haematobium, which leads to urogenital schistosomiasis, affects over 110 million people globally, predominantly in regions lacking clean water and sanitation.

The Unseen Dangers: A Closer Look at Cervical Gene Activity

The research team meticulously examined cervical tissue from 39 Tanzanian women, splitting the participants into two groups: those infected with S. haematobium and those who were not.

After treating the infected participants with praziquantel, a common antiparasitic medication, researchers monitored gene activity over a span of 4 to 12 months using advanced RNA sequencing techniques.

The findings were nothing short of shocking! Researchers found significant differences in gene expression—9 genes showed notable changes when comparing infected to uninfected women; 23 genes shifted after treatment; and a staggering 29 genes differed between those treated versus those never infected.

Key Genes Under Siege: Implications for Cancer Risk

Many of these genes are intimately involved in processes linked to cancer. Among the most affected were crucial genes like the BLK proto-oncogene, which is known for regulating cell growth, and Long Intergenic Non-Protein Coding RNA 2084, an ominous marker tied to poor cancer outcomes.

The post-treatment samples unnervingly demonstrated heightened activity in biological pathways linked to inflammation and tissue breakdown, which could enhance vulnerability to human papillomavirus (HPV)—the prime driver behind cervical cancer.

Expert Insights: A Call for Vigilance and Further Research

Dr. Anna Maria Mertelsmann, the study's lead author, expressed serious concerns: "These findings suggest that the infection might instigate molecular changes that heighten women’s susceptibility to cancer processes in the cervix, especially post-treatment."

She highlighted the unexpected decline in claudins and tight junction proteins—critical for cervical lining integrity—suggesting that their reduction could allow HPV to invade and persist in cervical cells.

Dr. Mertelsmann emphasized the need for more stringent post-treatment monitoring, noting that "Women treated with praziquantel exhibited more genetic alterations related to cancer than those still carrying the active infection."

Moving Forward: Need for Awareness and Action

To validate these findings, a larger-scale study is already underway, tracking 180 women over a year. Researchers aim to further investigate the interplay between schistosomiasis and long-term HPV infections concerning cervical cancer risk.

Dr. Mertelsmann advocates for heightened global awareness of Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a condition often overlooked, and stresses the importance of early screening for women previously infected with S. haematobium.

Additionally, she suggested that adjunct treatments aimed at bolstering the immune response might help combat the genetic modifications noted post-treatment. This underscores the vital role of widespread HPV vaccination as a key preventive strategy for at-risk populations.