Scientists from the University of Birmingham and the University of Glasgow have discovered a new mechanism that could enhance bacterial therapies for treating bowel cancer. The research, funded by Cancer Research UK, investigates how genetically modified Salmonella bacteria might interact with the immune system to combat cancer cells.
The study centered on examining the relationship between immune system T cells and a modified, safe Salmonella strain in mice with colorectal cancer, according to an article by the University of Birmingham. Researchers identified a critical interaction involving asparagine, an essential amino acid. The bacteria’s ability to deplete asparagine was found to slow tumor growth, but simultaneously suppressed T cells’ metabolic processes, preventing them from attacking cancer cells effectively.
The research team proposes a potential solution through genetic engineering of bacteria. By modifying the bacteria to avoid targeting asparagine, scientists believe they could enable T cells to work more effectively alongside bacterial treatment.
Dr. Alastair Copland, the study’s first author and Research Fellow in Immunology at the University of Birmingham, highlighted the significance of the discovery and explained that bacterial therapies represent a promising approach to cancer treatment by potentially starving tumors of vital nutrients. The research identified a specific protein responsible for T cell limitations and pinpointed a genetic target that could maximize the therapy’s potential.
Bacterial therapies have a long historical context, dating back to the 19th century. However, safety concerns previously limited their development. Recent advances in genetic modification have reignited scientific interest in using bacteria as potential cancer treatment tools.
Dr. Kendle Maslowski, the lead researcher from the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, stressed the importance of understanding why bacterial treatments were not performing as effectively as expected. The research revealed that asparagine plays a crucial role in T cell activation, suggesting that engineering bacteria to avoid attacking this amino acid could lead to more effective cancer treatments.
The research is particularly significant given the impact of bowel cancer in the United Kingdom, where approximately 16,800 deaths occur annually. The study offers a potential new approach to addressing this serious health challenge by exploring innovative bacterial therapy techniques.
Commenting on this article, one national Salmonella lawyer said, “These findings represent a positive step forward in cancer research. Further research will obviously still be necessary to develop and validate these initial results but the future looks promising.”
