UM research: Bacteria successful in cancer treatment

Dutch scientists have discovered bacteria that thrive in oxygen starved environments might be useful in delivering gene therapy to cancer patients.

The researchers, led by Jan Theys of Maastricht University, have used such bacteria to successfully target cancer tumors in patients for which traditional treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are ineffective.

“To target a tumor with gene therapy you need three things,” said Theys. “You need to be able to distinguish the tumor from its surrounding healthy tissue. You need to identify a therapeutic gene that will treat the problem. And you need some way of delivering the gene to the tumor.

“The majority of solid tumors contain regions of low oxygen or dead tissue. This environment encourages the growth of certain bacteria such as the Clostridium family, making them an ideal agent to deliver anti-cancer treatments” said Theys. “We have now shown that genetically engineered clostridia can successfully treat tumors in animals.”

The Maastricht scientists, in collaboration with researchers at Nottingham University, reported their research last week at the University of Edinburgh during the 161st meeting of the Society for General Microbiology.

Source: UPI, 11 September 2007