Scientists from Japan have announced the discovery of a bacterium that can completely destroy tumors after a single injection. The microorganism is Ewingella americana, found in the intestines of tree frogs. The results of the study demonstrated the complete disappearance of tumors without damaging healthy tissue and the formation of long-lasting immune memory that prevents the recurrence of cancer.
Scientists focused on amphibians and reptiles, because tumors in these animals are extremely rare in the wild, even given the intensive processes of regeneration and metamorphosis. During the study, 45 strains of bacteria were isolated from frogs, newts and lizards. Of these, nine of the most effective antitumor microorganisms were selected, among which Ewingella americana turned out to be the most effective.
In the experiments, the bacteria were injected intravenously into laboratory mice with colorectal cancer. In all test animals, the tumors completely disappeared. Repeated administration of cancer cells did not lead to the formation of new tumors, which indicates the formation of long-term immune memory.
The researchers attribute the bacterium's effectiveness to its ability to activate in the low-oxygen environment typical of tumors. Under such conditions, the microorganism multiplies rapidly, increasing its number thousands of times, and releases toxins directly inside the tumor. This not only destroys cancer cells, but also triggers a powerful immune response from the body.
Separately, scientists emphasized the safety of this approach. Ewingella americana is sensitive to antibiotics and completely disappears from the blood within 24 hours. Inflammatory reactions disappear within 72 hours, and no toxic effects on internal organs have been recorded.
The research team plans to test the bacterium's effectiveness against other types of cancer, including breast, pancreatic and melanoma, and to explore the possibility of combining this approach with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The scientists believe that the discovery could lay the foundation for a new class of anti-cancer treatments based on the microbiome of lower vertebrates.
