Scientists develop probiotic to target tumours

Scientists at University College Cork have developed an innovative way to target cancer treatment at tumours — by placing the drug in bacteria which attaches to the tumours.

Bacteria have a natural ability to grow inside tumours. When non-disease causing bacteria are injected intravenously, they attach to the tumours, but do not implant anywhere else in the body.

By putting the drugs into the bacteria, the drugs are then poised to go right to the centre of the cancerous growth.