In a landmark study, German scientists have shown how the bacteria migrate into tumours.
In a landmark study, German scientists have shown how the bacteria migrate into tumours.
Sara Bartels and Siegfried Weiss, of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, say that a messenger substance from the immune system makes blood vessels in the cancerous tissue permeable, and thereby enables the bacteria to conquer and destroy the tumour.
About Salmonellosis
Poor hygienic practices during cooking or handling of food products can cause this distressing infection of the intestines leading to diarrhea, cramps and fever.
Poor hygienic practices during cooking or handling of food products can cause this distressing infection of the intestines leading to diarrhea, cramps and fever.
"This influx of blood was the starting point for our investigations. There is an immunological messenger present during bacterial elicited inflammation that causes this kind of reaction. We searched for it - and found it," says Siegfried Weiss, Head of the Molecular Immunology group at the HZI.
The researchers have revealed that this messenger is named after its role in the immune system: tumour necrosis factor, TNF-alpha for short.
Tumor Markers - For Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
An ideal tumor marker for a cancer should be specific to that cancer and not generate false positive results.
An ideal tumor marker for a cancer should be specific to that cancer and not generate false positive results.
According to them, a small amount of TNF-alpha is subsequently enough to dissolve the walls of the blood vessels in the tumour and allow the blood to stream into the cancerous tissue.
Advertisement
About Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are the abnormal growth of brain cells that may be benign or metastatic. Brain tumors account for about 2.4% of all the tumor diagnosesandare most challenging due to their critically delicate location.
Brain tumors are the abnormal growth of brain cells that may be benign or metastatic. Brain tumors account for about 2.4% of all the tumor diagnosesandare most challenging due to their critically delicate location.
Since salmonella can live even in tissues that are badly supplied with blood, the researchers believe that they can be used in tumour therapy.
Advertisement
Adreno Cortical Carcinoma - Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-Prognosis
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that affects the outer cortex layer of the adrenals situated atop the kidneys.
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that affects the outer cortex layer of the adrenals situated atop the kidneys.
"We have obtained an important indication of how bacteria migrate into tumours. We can now try to manipulate these bacteria to use them in cancer therapy without causing deadly infections," says Sara Bartels.
"We need to find the right amount of bacteria aggressiveness, allowing the tumour to be colonised and destroyed without harming the patient," she adds.
If the scientists succeed in accomplishing this feat, they may be able to take the next step forward: using salmonella to release therapeutic substances within the tumour and thus participate in its destruction.
"Our experiments are currently limited to absolutely basic research and experiments with laboratory mice. It may take years before this method is usable for human patients," says Siegfried Weiss
The study has been published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.
Source-ANI
RAS
