Scientists have practiced genetically reprogrammed bacteria to eliminate tumors in mice. The innovative approach one day may reach to cancer treatments that tackle the disease more accurately, without the side consequences of traditional medications. These are new weapons against cancer.
So the researchers are working to produce a practical therapy to fight against cancer, but success in mice does not ensure that this tactic will work in people. Still, in the new study, Dr. Michael Dougan, an immunologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston said, ‘we will use programmable bacteria for medication.’
His analysis set some foundation for the new study.
New Weapons against Cancer
Our immune cells can seldom identify and kill cancer cells without compensation. But tumors may hibernate from the immune system by taking account of a gene called CD47. Usually, the gene produces a protein that studs the exterior of red blood cells, a sort of mark that reads, “Don’t Eat Me.” Immune cells see it and pass by strong red blood cells.
But as red blood cells age, they waste CD47 proteins. Ultimately, the immune cells no longer provide them a free pass, eating up old cells to make access for fresh ones. Variations in cancer cells can make them shift on the CD47 gene. The immune system recognizes these cells, too, as inoffensive, enabling them to develop into critical tumors.
Common bacteria will establish tumors in the body, utilizing them as a retreat from the immune system. Bacteria cannot make common antibodies for CD47. But recently, Dr. Dougan and his peers originated a miniature version of the particle called a “Nanobody.”
When Dr. Dougan and his associates formerly produced their CD47 nanobody, they realized that bringing it to cancer cells would be critical to its effectiveness. They intend to handle some kinds of metastatic cancer with a capsule of programmed bacteria. Dr. Dougan advised that the genetically reprogrammed bacteria might not be as influential in people as they appear to be in mice hat is reprogramming bacteria to fight cancer.
