Objective: Colon cancer is a great health concern worldwide, as it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Conventional treatment of cancer such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are faced with limitations and side effects. Therefore, strategies for the treatment of cancer need to be modified or new strategies replacing the old one.
Aims: The aim of this study is to review the role of bacteria or their products (such as peptides, bacteriocins, and toxins) as a therapeutic agent for colon cancer.
Results and conclusion: Recently, the therapeutic role of bacteria and their products in colon cancer treatment holds promise as emerging novel anti-cancer agents. Unlike the conventional treatments, targeted therapy based on the use of bacteria that are able to directly target tumor cells without affecting normal cells is evolving as an alternative strategy. Moreover, several bacterial species were used in live, attenuated or genetically modified that are able to multiply selectively in tumors and inhibiting their growth.
Keywords: Bacterial peptide; Bacteriocins; Bacteriotherapy; Colon cancer; Toxin.