BACTERIAL THERAPY FOR CANCER: A REVIEW OF MECHANISMS, APPLICATIONS, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite major advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. However, many conventional treatments are associated with serious side effects, drug resistance, and limited specificity for tumor cells. In recent years, bacterial therapy has re-emerged as a promising alternative or complementary strategy for cancer treatment. Certain bacteria have the natural ability to selectively target tumors, stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, and deliver therapeutic molecules directly to cancer cells. This review discusses the historical background, mechanisms of action, types of bacteria used in cancer therapy, genetic engineering approaches, clinical applications, challenges, and future directions of bacterial-based cancer therapy.