A NEW study by a team of Chinese scientists, led by the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), has uncovered the mechanism behind bacteria-based cancer therapy that uses a genetically engineered bacterial strain. It is a breakthrough that offers new hope for the development of next-generation cancer therapies.

The findings of the joint research team from SIAT and the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, both under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, were published online by the journal Cell.

Exploring the use of antitumor bacteria in cancer therapy dates back to the 1860s. Despite this long history, clinical application of bacteria-based cancer therapy has faced significant challenges in terms of safety and efficacy.

Recent advancements in synthetic biology have enabled the development of novel antitumor bacteria, creating new avenues for immuno-oncology research. However, practical applications has been hindered by the unclear mechanisms by which the bacteria evade host immune defenses while activating antitumor responses, according to Liu Chenli, one of the project’s leading scientists from SIAT.

In this study, researchers engineered an attenuated strain of bacteria, named Designer Bacteria 1 (DB1), which efficiently survives and proliferates in tumor tissues while being cleared in normal tissues, achieving remarkable “tumor-targeting” and “tumor-clearing” effects.

The researchers discovered that DB1’s antitumor efficacy is closely linked to tissue-resident memory cytotoxic T cells within the tumor, which are reinvigorated and expanded following DB1 therapy. In addition, in tumors, DB1 can slow down the migration of neutrophils, which helps with the survival of bacteria in the “target.”

“Our findings illuminate a crucial yet previously unresolved mechanism in bacterial cancer therapy. This mechanism not only provides valuable insights but also serves as a guiding principle for the design of engineered bacteria, enhancing safety and efficacy,” Liu said.

The researchers validated this therapy in various animal models, and the results showed that this synthetically bioengineered bacteria significantly inhibits the growth, recurrence, and metastasis of multiple types of tumors.

Currently, this research is being advanced toward clinical trials and will provide a scientific basis for the formulation of personalized treatment plans in the future, according to Liu.

The engineered antitumor bacteria can also serve as delivery carriers, enabling precise release of therapeutic drugs and opening up a new pathway for the treatment of malignant tumors, he added.

(Xinhua)