Salmonella is commonly associated with food poisoning, but recently, scientists have discovered a special use for this bacterium: it may help combat colon cancer.
A recent study found that salmonella can be modified to assist T cells—a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infections and diseases—in destroying cancer cells. Researchers discovered that it is possible to alter salmonella to work alongside the human immune system, enabling T cells to attack cancer cells. The findings were published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine on November 19. Further research on this topic will be conducted in the near future.
Salmonella bacteria. (Photo: CDC).
For a long time, experts have been aware of salmonella’s potential to fight cancer. However, during treatment, it has not performed as expected. Although treatment with bacteria can limit cancer cell growth by preventing them from absorbing essential nutrients, it can also affect the immune system, which plays a crucial role in combating tumors.
The research team, while testing on mice, found that salmonella prevents T cells from attacking cancer cells because it depletes a type of amino acid called asparagine. Scientist Kendle Maslowski from the University of Glasgow, who participated in the study, stated that they realized asparagine is very important for T cells. He assessed that with this discovery, scientists could adjust salmonella so it does not deplete asparagine, allowing T cells to attack cancer cells, leading to a new and effective treatment method.
Mr. Alastair Copland from the University of Birmingham, a co-author of the study, stated that this discovery could transform pathogenic bacteria like salmonella into warriors against cancer.
Ms. Catherine Elliott from Cancer Research UK, the organization that funded the research, remarked that this is an exciting development that could lead to effective treatments for colon cancer patients or other cancers in the future.
Salmonella can exist in the intestines of various animals, such as chickens, cattle, and pigs. It can be present on foods like eggs, chicken, pork, fruits, and vegetables that come into contact with livestock or their feces.
Individuals infected with salmonella often experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, which can last from 4 to 7 days.
