Researchers discovered a method to use magnetic microorganisms to combat cancer.

 

Magnetic microorganisms are used by ETH Zurich researchers to combat malignant tumours. The institution claims in a press statement that they have now discovered a technique for these microbes to breach blood vessel walls and then colonise a tumour successfully.

 

Researchers are working to determine the best way for anti-cancer medications to get to the tumours they are intended to treat. One option is to use altered bacteria as "ferries" to transport the medicines to the tumours through the bloodstream. Researchers at ETH Zurich have now successfully managed to prevent some germs from successfully infiltrating tumour tissue by allowing them to pass blood vessel walls.

 

Bacterial cancer therapy

Simone Schürle and her group have now demonstrated in cell cultures and animals that a rotating magnetic field applied to the tumour enhances the bacteria's capacity to pass the vascular wall close to the malignant development. The ETH Zurich researchers were able to demonstrate that moving the bacteria using a rotating magnetic field is successful for three reasons with the use of experiments and computer simulations.

 

First, magnetic propulsion using a rotating field is 10 times more effective than magnetic propulsion using a static field. The former only directs the movement, and the bacterium must follow its lead. The second and most important factor is that germs constantly move along the vascular wall due to the rotating magnetic field. In contrast to other propulsion modes, where the bacteria's motion is less explorative, this increases the likelihood that they will come across the gaps that momentarily appear between vessel wall cells. Thirdly, unlike previous approaches, imaging is not required to follow the microorganisms. It is not necessary to reposition the magnetic field once it has been placed over the tumour.

 

Schürle says, "We also use the inherent and autonomous motility of the bacteria. Once the bacteria have entered the tumour and have penetrated the blood artery wall, they can independently travel deep inside the tumour." In order to effectively propel the bacteria past the vascular wall and into the tumour, the researchers only employ the external magnetic field for propulsion for one hour.