How are bacterial vaccines changing cancer care in India?
The bacteria are helping to increase the ability of the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. This phenomenon is paving the way for personalized cancer vaccines.
Scientists are constantly working on providing better, safer and more effective vaccines, especially for the treatment of cancer. Recently, researchers at Columbia University have created a probiotic bacteria that can teach the immune system to attack cancer cells.
This method has opened the way to personalizing cancer vaccines. Recently, bacterial vaccines, traditionally used for infectious diseases, are emerging as important tools in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Dr Pooja Babbar, Consultant, Medical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, highlighted the effectiveness of bacteria in cancer care and how they not only prevent but also help in the treatment of some cancers.
In cancer treatment, bacterial vaccines are used to enhance the body’s immune response against tumor cells. For example, in early-stage bladder cancer, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is a common therapy.
Dr Babbar told IndiaToday.in, “BCG acts as an immunotherapy, which uses tumor antigens to stimulate an immune response. In early-stage bladder cancer, we can stop the cancer progression. “To administer BCG directly into the bladder.” 90%.
Additionally, advances include gene therapy and oncolytic viruses that target bladder cancers unresponsive to BCG. “Research shows that adenoviruses containing interferon gamma-like genes trigger white cell responses to destroy cancer cells,” Dr. Babbar said.
Additionally, hepatitis B vaccination also reduces the risk of liver cancer by preventing liver infection.
The new bacterial vaccine developed by Columbia researchers conducted its study on mice, which not only reduced the growth of the tumor but also showed promise in reducing the chances of its recurrence.
“The bacteria can be manufactured faster than some other vaccine platforms, making personalized treatments more feasible,” said Tal Danino, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia, who co-directed the research.
As bacterial vaccines advance cancer treatment, Dr. Babbar highlighted how they can enhance local immune activity against cancer cells.
