SCIENTISTS USE FOOD POISONING BACTERIA TO TREAT CANCER
Baku, August 12 (AZERTAC). Scientists are conducting experiments with mice using salmonella - a bacteria commonly associated with food poisoning - to treat, and in some cases, cure melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. The results have been so promising researchers are looking to conduct human trials.
Researchers at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy, injected salmonella directly into the tumors of mice that were bred to grow melanoma lesions on their skin.
Maria Reschigno, director of the Institute`s Division of Immunotherapy, says the bacterium stimulated an immune response by causing the formation of channels inside the tumor called gap junctions. She led led the research team and says protein fragments from the tumors - called peptides - escaped through these channels where they were detected by dendritic cells, which are roving guardians of the immune system. They then become fingerprinted with the information, initiating a potent immune-system attack against the cancer.
Researchers conducted two sets of experiments. In one set, Reschigno said they injected salmonella-treated cells into mice without melanoma and then tried to get the animals to form tumors.
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