Two new studies show how bacteria could help tumors progress and resist treatment nature CellReports
"What we're showing is that there are regions of the tumor that are heavily colonized by bacteria—micro-niche regions—and they differ functionally from regions that do not harbor bacteria," said Fred Hutch cancer microbiome researcher and study co-lead Susan Bullman, Ph.D., referring to the work outlined in the Nature study."And these bacteria-rich regions have increased metastatic potential.
"This work is at the intersection of cancer and microbiome research," Bullman said."There's compelling emerging data to suggest that nearly all major cancer types harbor an intra-tumoral microbiota." Regions colonized by bacteria were highly immune suppressive and had fewer cancer-killing T cells than other areas. Areas that had T cells near bacteria also had an upregulation of immune checkpoint proteins, which restrain the cancer-killing effects of T cells. Several checkpoint inhibitors are approved for use in colorectal cancer, and this study may help explain how a patient's microbiota could influence whether their cancer responds to a checkpoint inhibitor.
Some anti-cancer drugs may be effective because they are also antimicrobials that target bacteria supportingis highly sensitive to a common chemo drug called 5-fluorouracil, or 5-FU, but the researchers found thatapparently has a way to metabolize the drug and minimize its exposure to cancer cells or other bacteria.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inherited Cancer Susceptibility Gene Sequence Variations Among Patients With Appendix CancerThis cohort study examines the prevalence and spectrum of germline sequence variations in patients with appendix cancer and the utility of germline genetic testing for this population.
Read more »
Major cancer treatment shake-up as GPs to book cancer scans directlyGPS will get extra powers to book cancer scans directly under NHS plans to boost early diagnosis. Tens of thousands of tumours should be caught earlier under the initiative. It should slash delays …
Read more »
Soldier who 'fought with bare hands' got letter from the KingThe letter read: “I deeply regret that I am unable personally to hand you the award you have so well earned'
Read more »
European cancer epidemic could occur in next decade if health system weaknesses, cancer research not urgently addressedThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in cancer health systems and in the cancer research landscape across Europe, which, if not addressed as a matter of urgency, will set back cancer outcomes by almost a decade. In a new report, authors emphasize that prioritizing cancer research is crucial for European countries to deliver more affordable, higher-quality, and more equitable cancer care, with patients treated in research-active hospitals having better outcomes than those who are not.
Read more »
Report: Mattia Binotto to be replaced by Fred Vasseur as Ferrari team principalFerrari have decided to replace Mattia Binotto as team principal, according to a report – with Alfa Romeo’s Fred Vasseur his shock successor.
Read more »
I discovered I had breast cancer at 36 after my miscarriageBrave Laura Strathearn discovered she had aggressive breast cancer after suffering a tragic miscarriage.
Read more »