Stanford Medicine scientists managed to manufacture bacteria capable of fighting cancer in mice — good news that is expected to be tested in humans in the coming year. The microbes in question were genetically modified and rubbed into the fur of diseased mice, and the tumors began to dissipate or even disappear.
In the case of small rodents, the bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis was altered to produce a protein that stimulates the immune system against specific tumors, in this case, aggressive types of metastatic skin cancer. The result was obtained after applying the microbes gently to the animals’ skin, and there was no noticeable inflammation.
In more technical terms, the researchers found that the staphylococcal cells in the epidermis trigger the production of immune cells called CD8 T cells, which were produced by the adulterated bacteria. When they found a matching tumor, they began to rapidly reproduce and shrink the disease.
Among the caveats, it is worth noting that these experiments are being conducted in mice only for now —which is no guarantee that humans will have similar results. at first.
Stanford researchers have no idea if S. epidermidis triggers an immune response in humans, although our skin is littered with the stuff, so they may need to find a different microbe to alter. Furthermore, this treatment is designed to treat skin cancer tumors and is applied topically. It remains to be seen whether the benefits extend to internal cancers.