Common bacteria could 'melt' and destroy cancer with up to 99 per cent success, research finds Fusobacterium, found in the mouth, can 'melt' cancers of the neck and head 'Remarkable' research found the bacteria is linked to better patient outcomes READ MORE: Prostate cancer drug that can be taken at home gets green light By Xantha Leatham Deputy Science Editor Published: 00:01, 27 July 2024 | Updated: 00:01, 27 July 2024 e-mail View comments A bacteria commonly found in the mouth appears to 'melt' away and destroy certain cancers, scientists have discovered. Researchers were 'surprised' that patients with head and neck cancer who had Fusobacterium within their tumours had 'much better outcomes'. The exact biological mechanisms behind the link are being further investigated by specialists.
In laboratory studies, the team at Guy's and St Thomas', King's College London , put quantities of the bacteria in Petri dishes with cancer cells and left them for a couple of days. They found there was a 70 to 99 per cent reduction in the number of viable head and neck cancer cells after being infected with Fusobacterium. A bacteria commonly found in the mouth appears to 'melt' away and destroy certain cancers, according to new research Researchers were 'surprised' that patients with head and neck cancer who had Fusobacterium (seen) within their tumours had 'much better outcomes' Pictured: Dr Anjali Chander and Dr Miguel Reis Ferreira, whose study made the 'remarkable and very surprising' d.
