Could Neisseria gonorrhoeae have carcinogenic potential? A critical review of current evidence

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Ngoo, Alexander
Semchenko, Evgeny A
Atack, Anthony
Thomas, Patrick B
Seib, Kate L
Vela, Ian
Williams, Elizabeth D
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2025
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

There is growing evidence that microbial dysbiosis is intimately related to carcinogenesis across several types of human cancer. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is best known for causing acute exudative genitourinary infection in males. N. gonorrhoeae can also cause chronic, asymptomatic infection of the female genitourinary tract along with the oropharynx and rectum of both sexes. Epidemiological studies suggest that N. gonorrhoeae is an independent risk factor for cancer of the anus, bladder, cervix, prostate, and oropharynx. It is not clear however if this association is causal. The purpose of this review is to appraise epidemiological, experimental, and clinical data in order to understand the possible carcinogenic potential of this sexually transmitted bacterium.

Journal Title

Critical Reviews in Microbiology

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note

This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advance online version.

Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Microbiology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Ngoo, A; Semchenko, EA; Atack, A; Thomas, PB; Seib, KL; Vela, I; Williams, ED, Could Neisseria gonorrhoeae have carcinogenic potential? A critical review of current evidence, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 2025

Collections