Fun Facts!

Salmonella can now destroy brain cancer

Salmonella is a bacterial disease in the intestinal tract acquired from food intake. It causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. But scientists genetically modified this bacteria into a cancer-seeking missile. It is programmed to produce harmful compounds that cause cancer cells to self-destruct within a brain tumor in a low oxygen environment. But salmonella is not as harmless as it used to be because its toxicity is deactivated.

Salmonella targets glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that hastens the growth of brain tumors. Salmonella seeks the bacteria, Purine because it lacks an enzyme and an amino acid which is commonly found in tumors, then destroys it. But if no purine is left, it will die as well.

This treating method is first tested on lab rats. Twenty percent of these rats are successfully healed and extended their lives by 100 days, which converts to 10 human years. The other percent did not survive its test, but that does not mean unsuccessful. Researchers concluded that perhaps the penetration of the bacteria is inconsistent or the aggressive glioblastoma grows quickly. But every rat depicts a sign of improvement after its treatment. So, more research is needed.

This research showed how powerful genetic modification is. It can turn bad bacteria into harmless and helpful bacteria and can be a great strategy in targeting cancers.