Bacterial Therapy of Cancer: A Way to the Dustbin of History or to the Medicine of the Future?

Abstract

Bacteria are the constant companions of the human body throughout its life and even after its death. The history of a human disease such as cancer and the history of microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are believed to closely intertwined. This review was conceived to highlight the attempts of scientists from ancient times to the present day to discover the relationship between bacteria and the emergence or development of tumors in the human body. Challenges and achievements of 21st century science in forcing bacteria to serve for cancer treatment are considered. The future possibilities of bacterial cancer therapy, including the creation of bacterial microrobots, or “bacteriobots”, are also discussed.

Engineered Microorganisms for Advancing Tumor Therapy

“…[ 87 ] Additionally, a patient with neck cancer exhibited signs of recovery after receiving treatment with phagocytomimetics . [ 88 ] These discoveries have opened the door to the use of bacteria in tumor treatment. Early tumor‐therapeutic bacteria are naturally wild bacteria, which primarily rely on their spontaneous wandering and chemoattraction ability to colonize tumor tissues.…”

Therapeutic bacteria and viruses to combat cancer: double-edged sword in cancer therapy: new insights for future

“…Certain toxins that are created and released by bacteria have the potential to be cytotoxic or, in less extreme cases, to change apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation [ 218 ]. Through various methods, including cell-cycle arrest and disruption of tumor cell signal pathways, some of them can successfully prevent tumor development [ 219 ]. Cytolysin CylA is one of the most well-known bacterial toxins used as an anti-cancer agent [ 219 , 220 ].…”

“…Through various methods, including cell-cycle arrest and disruption of tumor cell signal pathways, some of them can successfully prevent tumor development [ 219 ]. Cytolysin CylA is one of the most well-known bacterial toxins used as an anti-cancer agent [ 219 , 220 ]. Pore-forming substances called cytolysins cause multimeric holes in cell membranes and aid in the death of cells.…”

“…3 ) [ 307 , 308 ]. Furthermore, hybrid versions that can be pushed by biological or artificial methods (typically biologically actuated) can be built, comprising both artificial and cell-made components [ 219 ]. Natural bacteria, especially human commensals, can be used as a vector to deliver a chemotherapeutic chemical directly into the tumor, which might greatly minimize the adverse effects of treatment often associated with conventional chemotherapy [ 309 , 310 ].…”