Alzheimer’s and cancer are common diagnoses, especially among older individuals. Prior research has observed an inverse association between both conditions, with a separate study also finding that survivors of cancer have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s in comparison to individuals without a history of cancer.
Now new research has uncovered evidence of a lower prevalence of dementia following a patient’s cancer diagnosis.
The research was carried out by scientists at Imperial College, who focused on health data of over three million individuals aged 60 and above. The scientists performed genetic analyzes on hundreds of genes, finding a genetic profile that forecasted a heightened risk of cancer. They observed that this profile was linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.
In their report, the scientists revealed that they’d determined that cancer survivors had a 25% reduced risk of developing dementia, with the inverse relationship being observed for common cancers like breast, lung, colon, and prostate.
They theorize that the inverse relationship suggested that there could be underlying biological mechanisms which influenced the illnesses in opposite directions. Imperial College London’s Elio Riboli, who led the research, revealed that they were now focused on understanding the biology behind this phenomenon.
Separate research has also found that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower likelihoods of developing cancer. A 2012 study also found that the inverse association went both directions, with the finding being replicated twice, in Italy and again in South Korea.
Researchers in the South Korean study found that Alzheimer’s patients had a 37% reduced chance of developing cancer compared to those without Alzheimer’s. Another study also reviewed molecular mechanisms which operated inversely in neurodegeneration and cancer, with some increasing the risk of cell death while others improved resistance to cell death.
Alzheimer’s dementia is linked to excessive death of neurons while cancer is tied to uncontrolled growth of cells. In their report, the researchers argued that dysfunctional mitochondria could be a link between neurodegenerative illnesses and cancer.
Some scientists also suggest that cancer treatments may influence the risk of dementia. Different studies have shown that inflammation may play a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s.
Based on this, scientists believe that chemotherapy may offer protection to neurons through inflammation suppression.
Professor Erin Abner, who wasn’t involved in this study, posits that learning more about the inverse relationship between neurodegenerative illnesses and cancer may aid in the prevention and/or treatment of these conditions.
With this growing body of scientific information delving into the mechanisms behind the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, drug makers like Annovis Bio Inc. (NYSE: ANVS) are likely to succeed in their quest for therapeutics that effectively halt the progression of these conditions.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Annovis Bio Inc. (NYSE: ANVS) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ANVS
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