The Trojan Horse Theory of The Start and Spread of Cancer

In my last post I described the known scientific fact that fungal organisms invade cells and shut off programmed cell death (apoptosis), a very likely mechanism for carcinogenesis. This known fungal action made me wonder, Why? Why would fungi evolve to behave in this manner? How do fungi benefit from shutting off apoptosis?

Then, it occurred to me. When apoptosis is shut off, the cells divide uncontrollably, rapidly producing huge numbers of cancer cells. If fungi are inside the cell reproducing themselves, all of the new cells produced by the uncontrolled cell division will contain fungi just like the original infected cells. One of the tell-tale signs under the microscope that a cell is cancerous is that the cell's cytoplasm appears "foamy". I suspect this foamy appearance is caused by many newly-formed fungal organisms. They are not visible as fungi unless they are treated with stains that are specific for fungi.

So, when fungi proliferate inside cells and shut off the cells' apoptosis, the result is huge numbers of fungi-containing cancer cells. The fungi are relatively hidden from the immune system inside the cells, so they can continue to proliferate without interference from the body's defenses. The cancer cells can break off from the original infection (primary tumor) and enter the lymphatic system and blood vessels, carrying the fungi to all parts of the body where they can start new infections (metastases).

When so many cancer cells and new fungal organisms are created they greatly outnumber the number of white blood cells in the body, the patient dies. Then the fungus can feed on its victim with no interference from the host's defenses.

I call this theory the "Trojan Horse Theory" because cancer cells serve as Trojan horses for the fungal infection, hiding the invaders and transporting them past the host's defenses to new parts of the body. I picture them like bad teenagers stealing a car and taking it on a joy ride, careening recklessly around the body, bent on no good.

This theory fits with the natural behavior of fungi. Unlike viruses, they do not need a living host to reproduce. All they need is food to feed on and the only thing keeping them from gobbling us up is our immune systems. Causing cancer enables them to overwhelm our immune systems, kill us, and consume us entirely (rot).

It would be a simple matter to PROVE THE PRESENCE OF FUNGI INSIDE CANCER CELLS in the lab. Perform immunohistocytochemistry on microscopic slides of hormone-dependent malignant tumors: An antigen that binds a protein found only in fungi, not mammals, needs to be obtained. Bind the antigen to a fluorescent compound that fluoresces under the microscope. Then stain the microscopic slides of tumors with the antigen-fluorescein compound and examine the slides under the microscope.

These slides will show the cytoplasm of the cancer cells FILLED with fungi. Under fluorescent light, the cancer cells will light up like fireworks under the microscope.

Slides of cervical cancer could be used as controls for comparison, since cervical cancer is caused by a virus, human papilloma virus (HPV).

Staining slides is a relatively inexpensive research technique, but would quickly and easily allow visualization of fungi inside every hormone-dependent cancer cell.

Please contact me if you are acquainted with cancer activists or cancer researchers who might be interested in discussing this "Trojan Horse Theory of Carcinogenesis" with me.