Booth Id:
BMED027
Category:
Biomedical and Health Sciences
Year:
2018
Finalist Names:
Maxwell, Cole (School: Breck School)
Abstract:
When cancer spreads from one organ to another, it becomes significantly harder to treat. This
process, known as metastasis, is involved in 90% of cancer deaths. Because metastasis
presents a serious barrier to effective treatment and recovery, it is crucial to understand how
bacterial infection plays a role in cancer metastasis.
The purpose of this study was to understand how the gram-negative bacterium Bartonella
henselae, which is found in 3% of US blood donors, influences melanoma metastasis. Through
the development and design of melanoma–B. henselae co-cultures, the expression of proteins
important to cancer metastasis were studied. It was shown that infection of B henselae
significantly increases the expression of the protein Interleukin-8 (IL-8) by over two-fold. IL-8 is
directly correlated to the metastatic potential of cancer, as it increases ability of malignant cells to migrate through the vasculature system and invade other organs. Clinically, over-production of IL-8 leads to diminished patient outcomes.
This is the first evidence that B henselae induces over-expression of IL-8 in melanoma cells and
influences the metastatic-potential of any human cancer. This work could potentially influence
the way cancer treatment plans are structured. For at-risk patients, programs can be initiated to
screen for B. henselae. For cancer patients infected with B. henselae, simple changes could be
made to treatment plans, such as the addition of an antibiotic. Understanding how factors from
our environment influence cancer metastasis will ultimately lead to more effective treatment
plans and better patient outcomes.
Awards Won:
Fourth Award of $500