Bacteria Can Suppress the Development of Skin Cancer

A new discovery will help fight cancer in a gentle way.

Earlier, scientists established that there are antibacterial peptides produced by certain bacteria found on human skin. These peptides can protect humans from some pathogenic microorganisms. A new discovery by researchers from the University of California showed that strains of epidermal Staphylococcus prevent the development of certain types of cancer. The research gives hope that soon a fundamentally new way to combat skin cancer will be found, which does not harm healthy cells of the body at all.

“Beneficial” Staphylococcus

The research team was led by Professor Richard Gallo, head of the Department of Dermatology at the University of California. During the work, a molecular analysis of the metabolic products of microorganisms found on human skin was conducted. It turned out that during the metabolism, strains of epidermal Staphylococcus release a certain chemical substance capable of stopping the development of cancer cells.

Scientists isolated the chemical substance 6-N-hydroxyaminopurine (6-HAP), which is a metabolic product of Staphylococcus, having the ability to suppress the synthesis of DNA in cancer cells. Experiments were conducted on mice: they were irradiated with carcinogenic ultraviolet radiation after being implanted with skin melanoma cells. The first group of rodents was injected with a strain of Staphylococcus that produces 6-HAP, while the second group had a modified strain that is unable to produce the substance 6-N-hydroxyaminopurine. The first group of mice received injections of 6-HAP at forty-eight-hour intervals, while the second group did not receive any. As the results of the experiment showed, the tumour cells in the first group of rodents decreased in size by two times compared to the group that did not receive injections.

Hopeful Research

According to Professor Gallo, the microorganisms that produce the cancer-fighting substance live on the skin of every person: “6-HAP selectively affects only cancer cells, which offers unique prospects for developing a new type of treatment, during which healthy human cells will not be harmed at all.”

Of course, the professor emphasized, numerous studies are required to help understand how the strain “works” and what the mechanism of 6-HAP production is, as well as how its insufficient amount affects the development of melanoma. Only after that can we talk about the implementation of methods for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.

However, it can already be said that pathogenic microorganisms like Staphylococcus, it turns out, perform their important function in maintaining the balance of healthy and sick cells. Staphylococci play a significant role in protecting against malignant neoplasms and can prevent the appearance of cancer cells or suppress the growth of those already present.