Researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) have discovered that bacteria living inside Antarctic sea squirts may help treat melanoma. The toxin, Candidatus Synoicihabitans palmerolidicus, has successfully eliminated melanoma cells in laboratory mice without killing the animals, according to USF chemistry professor Bill Baker.
How does the sea squirt bacteria fight melanoma?
Sea squirts are sac-shaped marine invertebrates that live on sloping seabeds. To protect themselves from predators, these organisms host specific bacteria that produce defensive toxins. According to BBC Science Focus, these toxins can be “reaprofeltadas” (repurposed) for medical research.
Bill Baker, a chemistry professor at USF, has been studying these bacteria for approximately 20 years. In a recent partnership with the Desert Research Institute and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, his team tested the toxins on mice containing melanoma cells. Baker told The Guardian that while the substance did not kill the mice, it effectively eliminated the cancer cells.
This suggests the bacteria possess specific physiological properties that could function as a medical treatment. However, Baker noted that the research is in its early stages and requires grams of the material to conduct larger studies on other animals and potentially humans.
Sea squirts are invertebrates that use chemical defenses to survive in the harsh environments of the ocean floor.
Why must researchers reproduce the toxin in a laboratory?
The transition from a biological discovery to a mass-produced medicine requires a shift from extraction to synthesis. Currently, obtaining enough material for clinical trials would require a collection of sea squirts the size of a basketball. This level of mass extraction would cause environmental damage to the Antarctic ecosystem.
Baker explained that the next critical step is discovering how to produce this metabolite in a laboratory setting. This method mirrors how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves various medications.
Successful laboratory reproduction would allow researchers to scale up production to the hundreds of milligrams or grams required for further studies. This approach also protects the delicate ecological relationship between the sea squirts and the bacteria in their natural habitat.
What were the conditions of the Antarctic expedition?
The six-week expedition was conducted under extreme environmental pressures. To collect the necessary samples, researchers utilized a combination of professional divers and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
Divers had to work at depths between 18 and 24 meters in freezing waters characterized by strong currents. Ben Meinster, the dive safety officer of the investigation, told Discover Magazine that the team had to manage ice, leopard seals, and frequently limited visibility. Meinster stated that every dive required meticulous planning to ensure worker safety.
How many people are affected by melanoma globally?
The urgency of finding new melanoma treatments is underscored by current global health statistics. According to 2022 data from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Cancer Observatory, 331,722 people were diagnosed with melanoma.
Of those diagnoses, 58,667 people died from the disease. Melanoma is considered the most severe form of skin cancer, according to the Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro, and it develops in the melanocytes—cells of the skin, also known as signs. They become cancerous when these cells become malignant.
Early detection of changes in skin “signs” or moles is critical for managing melanoma risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the bacteria being studied?
The toxins produced by the bacteria are identified as Candidatus Synoicihabitans palmerolidicus.
Has this bacteria been tested on humans?
No. According to Bill Baker, the material has been tested on mice with melanoma cells, but human trials can only occur if safety is proven in larger animal studies first.
Where is this bacteria found?
The bacteria live inside sea squirts (marine invertebrates) in the Antarctic ecosystem.
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