Genetically modified bacteria is a new weapon against cancer

A team of researchers from Korea worked on a vaccine against bacterial infection affecting shellfish. Also, the scientists tried to figure out whether the bacteria can cope with a cancer. The researchers have noticed that the bacteria affecting shellfish produce FlaB protein that induces an immune response, Medical Xpress reports.

The researchers have made Salmonella bacteria to produce the above mentioned protein. Salmonella are usually looking for oxygen-poor tissues and destroy them. And tumors have low concentrations of oxygen. Accordingly, Salmonella can destroy them too. Introduction of Salmonella into the bloodstream of mice caused a reduction in tumor size. But the result was temporary. The scientists therefore decided to modify the bacteria.

Genetically modified Salmonella were directed into a number of organs and into the tumors of mice. After that the immune system tried to eliminate the bacteria from the body. She attacked the bacteria in the tumors and the tumors themselves. In 12 days due to this activity 11 of 20 the experimental animals got rid of tumors.

Then the researchers have carried out another experiment. They administered to the mice aggressive cancerous cells followed by the modified bacteria. In 27 days, the researchers have found that 4 of 8 mice had 4 or fewer tumors, and some of them have no tumors at all. At the same time, all rodent of the control group had dozens of tumors.

Source: Medical Xpress