Study: E. coli Toxin Seen as Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer

The bacterial toxin caused by E. coli could be a possible treatment for colon cancer, according to researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The toxin is a perfect fit of a receptor on cancer cells and may slow the growth of the cancer cells, although it does not kill them, according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The toxin, known for causing traveler's diarrhea, needs to be tested further to see if it is safe and effective to use on humans as a treatment for colon cancer, said the researchers.

The toxin is naturally found on cells on the lining of the intestines as well as on colon cancer cells. Researchers found that when the toxin binds to the receptor, it regulates the growth of the cancer cells. Based on this finding, researchers speculate that it may lead to possible therapy that would control colorectal cancer's spread.

The next phase of research will involve the use of mice that are bred to develop cancer that mimics colorectal cancer in humans to see if the growth of the cancer can be short-circuited, and if the treatment with the toxin would be safe and non-toxic in the mice, according to the researchers.

Other sources: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences