HOUSTON – In a discovery that challenges fundamental assumptions about the brain, researchers have found unexpected bacterial deposits inside brain tumors, potentially influencing how these cancers grow and evade treatment.
The brain has long been considered a sterile environment, shielded from germs. However, a new study published in Nature Medicine reveals compelling evidence of bacteria living within both primary brain cancers and metastatic brain tumors.
“This work opens a new dimension in our understanding of brain tumor biology,” said senior researcher Dr. Jennifer Wargo, professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We may be able to identify new therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients.”
The research team analyzed 243 brain tissue samples using advanced genetic sequencing and imaging techniques. They discovered bacterial strains that overlap with microbes found in the gut and mouth, suggesting a possible connection between oral health and brain cancer risk.
“Bacterial elements appear to interact with immune cells within the tumor in ways that could influence how tumors develop and respond to treatment,” explained lead researcher Dr. Golnaz Morad.
While the study doesn’t confirm whether bacteria directly cause tumor growth, it reveals they may help tumors avoid immune detection. The findings could eventually lead to new treatment approaches targeting these microbial elements.
Researchers are now investigating how bacteria reach the brain, including whether gum disease might facilitate their spread to the central nervous system.
