Researchers have discovered that a common type of bacteria can "dissolve" some types of cancer cells, in surprising results that could help cancer patients.
According to the British website "Sky News", laboratory studies revealed that "the fusobacteria, which are commonly found in the mouth, led to a 70 to 99 percent reduction in the amount of viable cancer cells, when left together in petri dishes for a few days."
Petri dishes are dishes used by biologists to grow or culture cells, and are named after their inventor, the German bacteriologist Julius Petri.
The scientific journal "Cancer Communications" reported that experts are now studying "the exact biological mechanisms behind these results."
The researchers also analyzed the cases of 155 patients with head and neck tumors, and found a 65 percent reduction in the risk of death when the fusobacteria were detected.
The scientists said they were "very surprised" by the results related to the "clear" benefit of fusobacteria.
The study was conducted by experts from Guy's University, St Thomas' University and King's College London, in partnership with international researchers.
It is hoped that these bacteria will help formulate new treatments for patients with head and neck cancers, including those of the mouth, nose, sinuses and throat.
“Basically, we found that when you have these bacteria inside head and neck cancers, their outcomes are much better,” said lead author Miguel Reis Ferreira.
“The other thing we found is that these bacteria are able to kill cancer,” he added.
“This research reveals that these bacteria play a more complex role in cancer than previously known, essentially dissolving head and neck cancer cells,” Ferreira continued.
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