Researchers are exploring how to harness Salmonella’s power to combat bowel cancer. This idea dates back over 200 years, with early evidence suggesting that disease-causing bacteria could influence cancer treatment. Ancient Egyptian doctors may have even used infections to fight cancer, long before modern treatments like chemotherapy existed.
Initially, bacterial treatments were risky and often deadly. However, advancements in genetic modification now allow researchers to alter bacteria, preserving their cancer-fighting abilities while preventing harm to patients. Modified Salmonella has shown promise in suppressing cancer growth, particularly in bowel tumors.
Despite this progress, a challenge remains: these treatments don’t engage crucial immune cells, like T cells. A recent study from the University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham uncovered why. This discovery could lead to a new, two-pronged immunotherapy for cancer treatment.
Researchers are exploring how to harness Salmonella’s power to combat bowel cancer. This idea dates back over 200 years, with early evidence suggesting that disease-causing bacteria could influence cancer treatment. Ancient Egyptian doctors may have even used infections to fight cancer, long before modern treatments like chemotherapy existed.
Initially, bacterial treatments were risky and often deadly. However, advancements in genetic modification now allow researchers to alter bacteria, preserving their cancer-fighting abilities while preventing harm to patients. Modified Salmonella has shown promise in suppressing cancer growth, particularly in bowel tumors.
Despite this progress, a challenge remains: these treatments don’t engage crucial immune cells, like T cells. A recent study from the University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham uncovered why. This discovery could lead to a new, two-pronged immunotherapy for cancer treatment.