Engineered oncolytic bacteria for malignant solid tumor treatment

Abstract

Bacteria have been explored for their potential in fighting against cancer for decades. Due to their outstanding tumor-targeting capacity and high biocompatibility, live bacteria can serve as microrobots delivering and producing anti-tumor agents. In addition, live bacteria have intrinsic immuneactivating functions that aid in the generation of anti-tumor immunity both systemically and locally in the tumor microenvironment. While bacteria-based cancer therapy is still facing great challenges, progress in this platform combined with nanobiotechnologies has shown promise in terms of safety and effectiveness. Here, basic development strategies of bacteria-based delivery systems armed with nanotechnologies, virulence attenuation, and genetic manipulation are summarized and the design of a spatiotemporal selectivity is particularly emphasized. In conclusion, the engineered bacteria platform has a high potentiality in the development of novel cancer therapeutics and holds prospects for future investigation and clinical use.

Keywords

biotechnology / biotherapy / engineered oncolytic bacteria / malignant tumors / nanotechnology

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 The Authors. Interdisciplinary Medicine published by Wiley-VCH GmbH on behalf of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University.