Breakthrough Discovery in Cancer Treatment from Japanese Tree Frog
Researchers in Japan have uncovered a type of bacteria found in a frog species that shows surprising effectiveness in combating cancer. This bacteria has been shown to effectively eliminate tumors with a single dose.
Under the guidance of Professor Eijiro Miyako, a team at the Advanced Institute of Science and Technology identified a natural bacteria from the intestines of the Japanese tree frog (Ewingella americana) that achieved complete tumor elimination in mice after just one intravenous injection.
What’s notable is that this gut bacteria didn’t just kill the cancer cells directly; it also activated the mouse’s immune system, leading to a comprehensive destruction of the tumors.
The team’s findings were published in the journal Gut Microbes.
While previous studies have looked into the connection between gut microbiota and cancer primarily through indirect means, this research takes a more direct approach. They isolated and cultured specific bacterial strains, then administered them intravenously to target the tumors directly.
The researchers isolated a total of 45 bacterial strains from the intestines of Japanese tree frogs, fire belly newts, and grass lizards. Upon screening, nine of these strains showed anti-tumor properties, with E. americana standing out for its remarkable effectiveness.
In mice suffering from colorectal cancer, one intravenous dose of E. americana resulted in a complete elimination of tumors—all mice responded positively, far surpassing the current standards of treatment like immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy agents.
“These results point to the idea that the gut microbiomes of lower vertebrates hold many underexplored bacterial species with incredible therapeutic potential,” the authors expressed.
They emphasized the significance of microbial diversity in crafting new cancer treatment strategies.
Additionally, the treatment showcased an excellent safety profile, as detailed in a press release.
- Quick blood clearance (with a half-life of around 1.2 hours and undetectable within 24 hours).
- No bacterial colonization in vital organs like the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and heart.
- Only temporary mild inflammation, which normalized in about 72 hours.
- No chronic toxicity detected in a 60-day follow-up period.
Future research aims to explore other cancer types, including breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, among others.
The team is also interested in developing safer and more effective delivery methods, such as splitting doses and direct tumor injections. They plan to look into potential synergistic effects with existing therapies.
This research highlights that exploring unknown biodiversity could pave the way for innovative medical advancements.
