Salmonella effective against cancer cells

Researchers are using salmonella in cancer therapy and are seeing initial successes

01/04/2011

Salmonella could be an effective weapon against cancer in the future. Researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig report first successes with genetically modified Salmonella strains in cancer therapy. The research team around Dr. Siegfried Weiß, head of the working group „Molecular immunity“ At the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Salmonella has been used successfully to treat cancer in mice. The genetically modified strains, also known as triggers of serious foodborne infections, attach themselves to the tumors and destroy them, Dr. Knows the new approach to cancer therapy.

Modified salmonella destroys tumors
The approach to cancer treatment with salmonella is according to the experts actually not a novelty. Already „For 150 years it has been known that bacteria can destroy tumor cells“, reported Siegfried white. However, in the past, it has not been possible to control the risk of infection when using bacteria to combat cancer. Due to the genetic modification of salmonella, however, this is according to Dr. med. White is possible today. The scientists of the HZI have already proven their approach to cancer therapy with salmonella several times successfully in mice. According to the experts, the fact that the Salmonella - as well as numerous other bacteria - settle specifically in the tumors is probably due to the fact that the dead tissue inside the tumors offers the bacteria a protected and nutritious environment. According to Dr. Siegfried Weiß, the bacteria are literally lured by tumors. When administered intravenously near the tumors, the bacteria make the blood vessels more permeable and after a short time the salmonella enter the tumor tissue with the blood, the researchers said. According to the HZI experts, the genetically modified strains of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium also penetrate into the oxygen-poor areas of the tumor tissue and destroy it.

Other options for the use of salmonella in cancer therapy
After successfully testing mice with the modified Salmonella strains several times, researchers at the HZI are now working to improve the effectiveness of the bacteria while avoiding the risk of blood poisoning. In addition, according to the scientists further options for the use of bacteria in cancer therapy are examined. For example, experts are currently testing whether toxins of other bacteria implanted in Salmonella cells can be used to treat cancer. It also investigated whether messengers of the immune system can be mobilized by the use of salmonella to strengthen the immune system against cancer. In addition, according to the experts, a use of bacteria for cancer diagnosis is conceivable. Through genetic modification, the bacteria should shine and thus make the location and size of tumors or metastases visible. However, according to Dr. It may take years for the new methods to be used clinically.

Clinical use of Salmonella possible only after years
For six years, the researchers of the HZI have been working on a new cancer-based cancer therapy and, according to Dr. It may take another five years for the process to be mastered in animal experiments. Only then clinical trials are possible at all, said the expert. However, Dr. Anyway, the new procedure is more likely to be a supplement or substitute for chemotherapy. Surgical interventions could not be prevented on the basis of the novel cancer therapy, the expert emphasized. Nevertheless, it would have White „even a certain charm, if just these bacteria could one day serve to cure such a terrible disease as cancer“, Salmonella is only human „as a threat to their health“ known. (Fp)

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Picture: Rolf van Melis