JERUSALEM, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- International researchers have discovered that various types of bacteria inhabit brain tumors, and some of them may aid cancer growth, a finding that could impact treatment success and patient survival, Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) said.
The discovery, published in the journal Nature Cancer, may open doors to new therapies for this aggressive and often fatal type of cancer, the WIS said in a statement published on Friday.
They analyzed 322 samples, including glioblastoma -- the most common malignant brain tumor in adults -- and brain metastases, which typically spread from lung or breast cancer. Bacteria appeared both inside cancer cells and in nearby immune cells. Brain metastases carried more bacteria and a greater variety of species than glioblastomas.
In some cases, the same bacteria were found in both primary tumors and their matching brain metastases, suggesting the microbes may travel with cancer cells as the disease spreads.
Some bacteria showed traits that may help tumors grow. In glioblastoma, for example, certain bacteria produce phosphorus, a nutrient the tumors often lack.
The researchers also found evidence that certain bacterial secretions can make cancer cells less responsive to a common chemotherapy drug. Patients whose brain metastases contained a richer community of bacteria generally experienced shorter survival times.
The team said the presence and behavior of these bacteria could provide new ways to diagnose brain tumors and improve treatment. Enditem
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