Bacteria to target cancer

A method of using bacteria to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue has been developed by Australian scientists. The bacteria used in this technique have been altered so they cannot cause disease, reported The Daily Telegraph in Australia.

"The breakthrough is using bacteria as drug carriers that go straight to the cancer cells rather than conventional therapy that floods the body" with chemotherapy drugs, researcher Dr Jennifer MacDiarmid said.

This unique drug delivery system can recognise markers of certain cancers and latch directly onto the targeted cancer cells. The drugs are then released inside tumours, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The scientists said this approach may help save lives and would spare cancer patients from having to endure the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. It's expected that this treatment technique will undergo human clinical trials by the end of the year. – (HealthDayNews)

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Cancer Centre

May 2007