Clostridium novyi-NT in cancer therapy

AbstractThe attenuated anaerobic bacterium Clostridium novyi-NT (C. novyi-NT) is known for its ability to precisely germinate in and eradicate treatment-resistant hypoxic tumors in various experimental animal models and spontaneously occurring canine sarcomas. In this article, we review the therapeutic and toxicologic aspects of C. novyi-NT therapy, key challenges and limitations, and promising strategies to optimize its performance via recombinant DNA technology and immunotherapeutic approaches, to establish C. novyi-NT as an essential tool in cancer therapy

The effect of staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage lysates upon malignant growth in hamsters and mice

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityIn view of the success of the Danish investigators Christensen and Kjems in inducing regressions of malignant tumors with streptococcus bacteriophage lysates, it was decided to test lysates of hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus upon malignancies in hamsters and mice. [TRUNCATED

Public Health Rep

19315539PMCnul

Laser Ablation and Immune Stimulating Interstitial Laser Thermotherapy

Based on nineteenth-century findings that showed that heat (fever) could be used to treat cancer, local hyperthermia has been developed as a tool to eradicate local tumors when surgical excision is deemed impossible. Nonetheless many cancer patients with advanced disease still lack effective treatment. During the last decades, data has emerged indicating that in situ destruction of tumors in some cases may induce tumor antigen release which can stimulate antigen-specific cellular immunity. Immune stimulating interstitial laser thermotherapy (imILT) is a method for local hyperthermia using laser light to increase tissue temperature with a specific protocol which can result in in situ vaccination. In vivo studies have shown that the method can induce an immune response that is effective against re-challenging, therefore indicating abscopal effect. Data was collected during clinical studies to assess the safety and feasibility of the method

Intravesical Chemohyperthermia for NMIBC: Rationale and Results of This Developing Treatment

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, and the lifetime risk of getting bladder cancer is 2.4%. Approximately 75% of newly diagnosed cases of bladder cancer are non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and half of them will show recurrence and/or progression after transurethral resection. Therefore, after transurethral resection, in high-risk patients, intravesical therapy is mandatory. However, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is associated with important side effects such as systemic tuberculosis and bladder retraction. Chemohyperthermia (CHT) has shown a 60% lower recurrence rate than standard mitomycin C (MMC). However, its effectiveness in high-risk patients, especially CIS and BCG refractory patients, is even more important. CHT will probably be an option for patients unsuitable for radical cystectomy or those on whom BCG can’t be used. Two main technologies are currently available for intravesical CHT: microwaves and recirculating heated fluids. Both of them have pros and cons that should be known and evaluated by a urologist. In this chapter, we will speak about rationale, technical options, clinical results, ongoing studies, and future perspective for this interesting treatment option for intermediate and high-risk patients with NMIBC