How to Treat Cancer With Salmonella

Since the mid-1990's, a research team at Washington University in St. Louis has been diligently researching a new cancer treatment. After 15 years of research, the team finally announced in 2009 that they had developed a potential new treatment. With this new strategy, salmonella bacteria are planted inside cancerous tumors, in the hope that they will destroy the cancer. Although a significant amount of research is yet to be done, there are a few specific steps that have been outlined regarding the use of salmonella to treat cancer.

Instructions

Salmonella Treatment

• 1

  Genetically modify the salmonella microbes in the laboratory. These modified microbes need to have two main attributes. First, the microbes need have a suicide mechanism. The genetic makeup of salmonella needs to be altered so that the bacteria's protective cell wall will break down after a certain amount of time has elapsed. When the cell wall breaks down, the salmonella microbe dies, which ensures that the patient will not receive the fatal salmonella infection. Next, the salmonella microbes need to be altered so that they will produce and release specific substances to kill the cancerous tumor. The substance most likely to be used is Interleukin-2, a naturally occurring cancer-fighting substance found in the body.

• 2

  Plant the inactive salmonella microbes into the cancerous tumor. The tumor will be colonized by the bacteria, which will then begin to grow and multiply. The interiors of the tumors are low in oxygen and high in other nutrients that salmonella microbes thrive on. Research is still being done regarding the proper procedures for planting salmonella into the cancerous tumor. Care needs to be taken to ensure that patients do not react negatively to the salmonella treatment itself.

• 3

  Activate the salmonella by administering the simple sugar molecule L-arabinose. Once the sugar reaches the salmonella bacteria, it will activate the salmonella bacteria to do whatever it has been genetically engineered to do. Based on current research, the salmonella bacteria would produce and release the Interleukin-2, which works to destroy the cancerous tumor.

• 4

  Allow time for the salmonella to release the cancer-fighting substances. During this time, an added benefit will also occur. Once the body recognizes the salmonella bacteria, the immune system grows stronger to fight off the bacterial infection. The hope is that between the enhanced immune system and the release of Interleukin-2, the cancerous tumor may be destroyed. Naturally, it is extremely important to constantly monitor the patient during this time.