Bacteria in Cancer Therapy: Renaissance of an Old Concept

Abstract

The rising incidence of cancer cases worldwide generates an urgent need of novel treatment options. Applying bacteria may represent a valuable therapeutic variant that is intensively investigated nowadays. Interestingly, the idea to apply bacteria wittingly or unwittingly dates back to ancient times and was revived in the 19th century mainly by the pioneer William Coley. This review summarizes and compares the results of the past 150 years in bacteria mediated tumor therapy from preclinical to clinical studies. Lessons we have learned from the past provide a solid foundation on which to base future efforts. In this regard, several perspectives are discussed by which bacteria in addition to their intrinsic antitumor effect can be used as vector systems that shuttle therapeutic compounds into the tumor. Strategic solutions like these provide a sound and more apt exploitation of bacteria that may overcome limitations of conventional therapies.

Differences in gene expression profiling and biomarkers between histological colorectal carcinoma subsets from the serrated pathway

“…[32][33][34] Moreover, hypoxia-inducible factor-1a and nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) activate CXCL14, 35 whereas inflammatory stimuli such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides block CXCL14 activity. 36,37 Taken together, these findings suggest that antiangiogenic therapy 38 or NOS1 inhibitors could be potential therapeutic approaches for activating the immune system against SAC.…”

“…This cytokine is implicated in the homeostasis of monocyte‐derived macrophages rather than in inflammation and in recruitment of immature dendritic cells and regulatory T cells and in blocking of endothelial cell chemotaxis . Moreover, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) activate CXCL14, whereas inflammatory stimuli such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides block CXCL14 activity . Taken together, these findings suggest that antiangiogenic therapy or NOS1 inhibitors could be potential therapeutic approaches for activating the immune system against SAC.…”

A Comparative Study of Antimicrobial Profile Having Broad Spectrum Bacteriocins Against Antibiotics

“…1) and thus, they are effective therapeutic agents [14]. There are some common bacteriocins such as pyocin, colicin, pediocin, and microcin which have inhibitory properties against different neoplastic cells [15]. There are immunotoxins and several bacterial proteins including Mycobacterium bovis MPT63, arginine deiminase from Mycoplasma arginini, lipidated azurin from Neisseria meningitidis, and azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus mundtii strain C4l10 which have already showed tremendous potential as anticancer bacteriocin [16].…”

Why is Scientific Research on ‘Data-Poor’ Microorganisms Being Ignored?

“…Importantly, although it is tempting to think of the added value of data-poor microorganisms as being restricted to research and publications involving comparative genome sequencing, there actually exist many more possibilities for research involving data-poor microorganisms. These include (to name only a few) -pathogenicity studies: investigating the patho genicity of historically significant microorganisms [6], discovery of variation in (unknown) mobile genetic elements [7], discovery of variation in (unknown) virulence factors and plasmids [8], identification of new antibiotic/antiviral/ antifungal/antiparasitic mechanisms and anti biotics [9], investigating antibiotic 'tolerance' [10], transformation, transduction, conjugation efficiencies [11]; diagnosis and treatment: development of new diagnostic tests and targets [12], discovery of previously unknown antibiotics [13], investigating microorganisms and cancer therapy [14], extended standardization of genotyping schemes [15]; gene regulation: investigating global gene regulation, for example, SOS and stringent responses [16], linking transcription factors to global physiology [17], reconstruction and prediction of transcription regulatory networks [18]; evolution: evolutionary ecological transitions [19]; and the immune system: differences in inflammatory responses [20].…”