Kangaroo source for Cancer busting germ

Queensland scientists expect to start clinical trials of a cancer busting germ found in the stomach of kangaroos.

The world-first therapy involves gentically modifying a common bacterium which liquefies tumours without harming the patient.

The bacterium will be injected into tumours anywhere in the body, and releases special enzymes which destroy the cancer mass, and stimulate the body's immune system.

With one in four Australians dying of cancer, the potential exists for this new treatment to save millions of lives each year by targetting primary tumours before they spread.

The germ also occurs naturally in humans but the strain found in the eastern grey kangaroo has more protein-digesting enzymes. It is an anaerobic bacterium, which means it doesnt need oxygen. It multiplies much faster than tumour cells effectively starving the tumours cells of nutrients.

The idea that bacteria might be able to fight cancer was first suggested by German doctors nearly 100 years ago when they noticed that some patients spontaneously recovered after suffering an infection and fever.

The team of scientists at University of Queensland expect to start clinclical trials within 2 years and have a product ready for market within 5 years.

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