Bacteria That Target Tumors
Article:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.037
Summary:
A genetically modified strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S.Typhimurium) is being studied as an anti-tumor agent.
Connections:
Over the last few weeks it seem like the over whelming topic in class is about how bacteria is going to get us, how to we kill it, there are a few good ones but only because the keep the bad ones from taking root, but in a classic cold war style operation these researchers have flipped a strain of bacteria to our side.
Critical Analysis:
When I first read this article I thought it was like something from a science fiction novel but this type of treatments are over 100 years old. William B. Coley was injecting streptococcal into patients over 100 years ago. While I’m not sure exactly why, this type of treatment gave way to expensive cancer fighting drug and radiation treatments. Now this particular case was more successful in lab animals than human trails this approach is making a come back.
Question:
Do you think the answer to killing cancer is bacteria and is just not pursed because there no money in it?