The use of Clostridium in cancer therapy: a promising way

Abstract

In recent decades, the traditional cancer therapeutic agents such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have failed. One of the main reasons for repeated failures in the field of solid tumors is the hypoxic/necrotic regions within the tumors. Recently, looking for new therapeutic approaches, using bacteria as a therapeutic agent for cancer attract attention. In the case of solid tumors, several strains of anaerobic bacteria have been shown to selectively colonize, which made them the suitable agent for selective targeting and destruction. Interestingly to know that Clostridium species as an anaerobic bacterium has shown the high ability for selective internalization and colonization in the hypoxic and necrotic areas of the tumor which allow them to use as a target delivery for therapeutics agent and significant oncolytic. Furthermore, Clostridium can be modified to use as a producer of prodrug-converting enzymes or cytokines that allow the production of specific proteins or toxic agents within the tumors resulting in tumor destruction. The present study is a comprehensive review of the progress and current status of Clostridia as a promising agent for anticancer treatment.