Killer Anthrax a potential treatment against cancer

NI Wire

New Delhi

Mon, 31 Dec 2007: 

Dec 31:  In a study published in the journal Biological Chemistry, researchers have found that the killer anthrax toxin could be a blessing in disguise as after some mutation it can be used to treat dreadful disease like cancer in the near future. In a recent study conducted by researchers of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology demonstrated that mutated toxin in Anthrax could discriminate and target melanoma cells of skin cancer in mice.

The study showed that mutated toxins were triggered by matrix metalloproteinase’s (MMP) proteins which are produced by cancerous cells.

Also the study further suggested that mutated toxin in mice were 100% tolerant to a dose that would be lethal for the natural toxin and is more potent because of its higher specificity and longer life in the blood.

Interestingly the research revealed that that it is similarly selective in killing other cancerous cell of lung and colon.

The toxin could do so by blocking angiogenesis in which uncontrolled formation of new blood vessel takes place to nourish the tumour cells.

Anthrax till now is known as deadly bacteria capable of causing deadly skin liaisons in animal and human. It is also called as biological weapon of mass destruction.

With this research this highly infectious bacteria can be used for better cause of treating cancer like disease.

The encouraging result of this research in mice has given a hope that the anthrax toxins can be clinically viable.