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Measuring Growth and Gene Expression Dynamics of Tumor-Targeted S. Typhimurium Bacteria
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Bacteria as a double-action sword in cancer
Atieh Yaghoubi1, Majid Khazaei2, Saba Jalili1
1Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|June 27, 2020
Summary
Bacteria can cause cancer but also offer promising new cancer therapies. Researchers are exploring bacteriotherapy, using bacteria or their components, to improve treatment efficacy and target tumors effectively.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacteria are recognized as cancer-causing agents.
- Conventional cancer treatments face limitations due to tumor microenvironments.
- There is a need for novel anticancer therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual role of bacteria in cancer development and therapy.
- To highlight the potential of bacteriotherapy as a novel cancer treatment.
- To discuss the application of bacteria as vectors for drug and gene delivery.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on bacteria in cancer.
- Analysis of bacteriotherapy strategies including live strains, toxins, peptides, and bacteriocins.
- Exploration of bacteria as delivery vectors for therapeutic payloads.
- Discussion of combining bacteriotherapy with conventional treatments.
Main Results:
- Bacteria possess a dual role in cancer: as causative agents and therapeutic tools.
- Bacteriotherapy utilizes various bacterial components for cancer treatment.
- Bacteria can be engineered as vectors for targeted drug and gene delivery.
- Combination therapies involving bacteria show enhanced treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriotherapy presents a promising avenue for cancer treatment, addressing limitations of conventional methods.
- The development of genetically engineered bacteria offers potential for more effective and safer cancer therapies.
- Further research into bacteriotherapy, especially in combination with existing treatments, is warranted.
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