An innovative treatment has been created that promises to cure and prevent cancer

Researchers at Columbia University in the United States have developed a new class of probiotic bacteria capable of programming the human immune system to fight cancer cells.

This recently announced discovery could lead to innovative personalized microbial vaccines that attack both primary tumors and metastases, as well as offering the possibility of preventing future cases of cancer.

Initial studies were conducted in mice suffering from aggressive colorectal cancer and melanoma.

Bacterial vaccine

The results showed that the vaccine activated the rodents’ immune system, suppressing tumor growth and, in many cases, eliminating them completely, all without affecting healthy cells.

One of the advantages of this bacterial vaccine is its ability to adapt to different types of tumors, taking into account the unique genetic mutations of each cancer.

“By programming bacteria to target the immune system toward these specific mutations, we can create more effective treatments that strengthen a patient’s ability to detect and eliminate their own cancer cells ,” explains study leader Dr. Nicholas Arpaia.

Using bacteria to treat cancer

The use of bacteria in cancer treatment is not new; as early as the late 19th century, surgeon William Coley observed tumor regressions in patients who had bacteria injected into inoperable tumors.

Today, bacteria are still used in some treatments, such as in patients with early-stage bladder cancer .

Researchers have found that certain bacteria can naturally migrate to and colonize tumors , thriving in low-oxygen environments and generating local immune responses.

However, until now, this use has not been sufficient to effectively direct the immune response against cancer.

“These properties, although promising, are not sufficient on their own to stimulate immune responses that destroy tumors, but they constitute a solid starting point for new cancer therapies , ” concludes Dr. Arpaia.