Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations

Cancer remains one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The increasing numbers of cases are not accompanied by adequate progress in therapy. The standard methods of treatment often do not lead to the expected effects. Therefore, it is extremely important to find new, more effective treatment...

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Main Authors: Klaudia Łukasiewicz, Marek Fol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Journal of Immunology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/2397808
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author Klaudia Łukasiewicz
Marek Fol
author_facet Klaudia Łukasiewicz
Marek Fol
author_sort Klaudia Łukasiewicz
collection DOAJ
description Cancer remains one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The increasing numbers of cases are not accompanied by adequate progress in therapy. The standard methods of treatment often do not lead to the expected effects. Therefore, it is extremely important to find new, more effective treatments. One of the most promising research directions is immunotherapy, including the use of specific types of microorganisms. This type of treatment is expected to stimulate the immune system for the selective elimination of cancer cells. The research results seem to be promising and show the intensive activation of the immune response as a result of bacterial stimulation. In addition, it is possible to use microorganisms in many different ways, based on their specific properties, that is, toxin production, anaerobic lifestyle, or binding substances that can be delivered to a specific location (vectors). This paper provides an overview of selected microorganisms which are already in use or that are in the experimental phase. Just like any other therapy, the use of microbes for cancer treatment also has some disadvantages. Nevertheless, this kind of treatment can supplement conventional anticancer therapy, giving cancer patients a chance and hope of recovery.
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spelling doaj-art-928eef96569f4b9b98ce6f50e2f195a62025-08-20T02:09:45ZengWileyJournal of Immunology Research2314-88612314-71562018-01-01201810.1155/2018/23978082397808Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and LimitationsKlaudia Łukasiewicz0Marek Fol1Division of Cellular Immunology, Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, PolandDivision of Cellular Immunology, Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, PolandCancer remains one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The increasing numbers of cases are not accompanied by adequate progress in therapy. The standard methods of treatment often do not lead to the expected effects. Therefore, it is extremely important to find new, more effective treatments. One of the most promising research directions is immunotherapy, including the use of specific types of microorganisms. This type of treatment is expected to stimulate the immune system for the selective elimination of cancer cells. The research results seem to be promising and show the intensive activation of the immune response as a result of bacterial stimulation. In addition, it is possible to use microorganisms in many different ways, based on their specific properties, that is, toxin production, anaerobic lifestyle, or binding substances that can be delivered to a specific location (vectors). This paper provides an overview of selected microorganisms which are already in use or that are in the experimental phase. Just like any other therapy, the use of microbes for cancer treatment also has some disadvantages. Nevertheless, this kind of treatment can supplement conventional anticancer therapy, giving cancer patients a chance and hope of recovery.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/2397808
spellingShingle Klaudia Łukasiewicz
Marek Fol
Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
Journal of Immunology Research
title Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
title_full Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
title_fullStr Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
title_full_unstemmed Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
title_short Microorganisms in the Treatment of Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
title_sort microorganisms in the treatment of cancer advantages and limitations
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/2397808
work_keys_str_mv AT klaudiałukasiewicz microorganismsinthetreatmentofcanceradvantagesandlimitations
AT marekfol microorganismsinthetreatmentofcanceradvantagesandlimitations