Scientists are using new information about the bacteria that lives inside us to create potential pathways for new cancer treatments, according to Bloomberg.
Here are four things to know about the potential role of gut bacteria as weapon in the fight against cancer.
1. The studies: Two recent studies published in Science highlight the ability of bacteria to bolster systemic immune response and have thusly garnered intrigue from top scientists at drug companies.
a) Study one, from the University of Chicago, found that giving mice Bifidobacterium, typically found in the gastrointestinal tract, was effective in controlling the growth of skin cancer.
b) In study two, French researchers found that some bacterial species activated a unique response to immunotherapy, which was otherwise absent without the presence of the microbes.
2. New thinking: Daniel Chen, MD, PhD, head of cancer immunotherapy research at Roche's Genentech division, told Bloomberg, "Five years ago, if you had asked me about bacteria in your gut playing an important role in your systemic immune response, I probably would have laughed it off... most of us immunologists now believe that there really is an important interaction there."
3. Skepticism: Some believe that an approved cancer treatment derived from heavy research into the human microbiome to be at least five years away. "To therapeutically influence the microbiome long-term in humans is a big hurdle," Sander van Deventer told Bloomberg, managing partner at venture-capital firm Forbion Capital Partners. "The microbiome is very stubborn. Everything we've done so far has only had a temporary effect."
4. Potential in numbers: The human microbiome is a universe of 100 trillion good and bad bacteria, some of which could have a potential influence on the human immune response. It is a complex area of study, but growing understanding is cause for optimism in some. "It is one of the most interesting developments we've seen in science over the last several years," Dr. Chen told Bloomberg.
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