Scientists at the University of Texas (UT) have discovered that intratumoral lactic acid-producing bacteria increase cancer resistance to radiation therapy. The research was published in the journal cancer cell.
Cervical cancer occurs most often in people infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). This tumor usually responds well to treatment, but some patients develop treatment-resistant cancer. In the new study, researchers analyzed bacteria living in cervical cancer tumors in 101 patients who received chemoradiotherapy between September 2015 and March 2022.
Scientists discovered bacteria Lactobacillus descenders (interior of L.) has been associated with poor response to radiation and decreased patient survival. It turned out that this was due to bacteria producing the substance L-lactate. This substance is derived from lactic acid, and cancer cells use lactate instead of glucose to fight post-radiation damage.
Previous studies have shown that tumor lactate production is associated with aggressive tumor growth and poor survival in many types of cancer. The authors are currently developing new approaches to target these bacteria inside tumors. They believe that they will fight against it. interior of L. It may increase the survival rate of patients with cervical cancer.
A food additive formerly derived from potato starch developed Survival rate of people after bone marrow transplant.