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Bacteria and bacterial anticancer agents as a promising alternative for cancer therapeutics

Piyush Baindara1, Santi M Mandal2

  • 1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA.

Biochimie
|August 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Bacteria offer novel anticancer agents and therapies to combat cancer drug resistance and toxicity. This review explores bacterial compounds and live bacteria as promising cancer treatment alternatives.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Oncology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of death despite treatment advances.
  • Chemotherapeutic resistance, side effects, and toxicity necessitate novel anticancer agents.
  • Bacteria and their bioactive compounds present a promising alternative for cancer therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the anticancer properties and mechanisms of action of bacterial-derived agents.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of live tumor-targeting bacteria.
  • To discuss future applications of bacterial-based cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific studies on bacterial anticancer agents.
  • Analysis of mechanisms of action, including apoptosis, necrosis, and pathway inhibition.
  • Examination of the role of live bacteria in tumor targeting and treatment.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial agents exhibit diverse anticancer mechanisms, including inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis.
  • Various bacterial compounds like antibiotics, bacteriocins, and toxins show potent anticancer effects.
  • Live, tumor-targeting bacteria offer a unique therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial-derived compounds and live bacteria represent a significant frontier in cancer therapeutics.
  • Further research into bacterial anticancer agents can overcome limitations of current treatments.
  • Bacterial-based strategies hold promise for future cancer treatment applications.
Keywords:
AntibioticsAnticancerAntitumor bacteriaBacteriocinsCytotoxicNon-ribosomal peptides

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