Researchers at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) have made significant strides in bacteria-based cancer therapy, revealing a new method for cultivating antitumor bacteria that may revolutionize cancer treatment. This innovative approach aims to harness the natural properties of bacteria to target and combat cancer cells, particularly in cases where traditional therapies are less effective, such as metastasis or drug resistance.

The study, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal and led by Professor Eijiro Miyako and doctoral student Mikako Miyahara, in collaboration with the University of Tsukuba, introduces a technique utilizing highly porous scaffolds to enhance the anticancer properties of a specific bacterial consortium known as AUN. This consortium is composed of Proteus mirabilis (A-gyo) and Rhodopseudomonas palustris (UN-gyo), which were previously isolated from tumor tissues in mice.

Harnessing the Power of Bacteria

Bacteria-based therapies present a promising avenue for cancer treatment, particularly for patients who have limited options due to treatment resistance. However, for safe application in humans, these bacteria must be carefully attenuated to mitigate risks. The researchers’ breakthrough involves using microporous scaffolds made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). These scaffolds not only foster the growth of the AUN bacterial consortium but also control its proliferation, preventing aggressive growth that could lead to adverse effects.

“The use of scaffold-mediated bacterial culture enhances the anticancer therapeutic abilities of our microbial consortium, AUN,” explained Professor Miyako. “This discovery will guide the future design of artificial scaffolds for effective treatments against drug-resistant cancers.”

Enhanced Efficacy and Safety

The researchers conducted comprehensive evaluations of the AUN consortium’s anticancer efficacy, discovering that the scaffold-cultured bacteria significantly improved the ability to eliminate various tumor cell types. In preclinical studies on mice with breast cancer, treatment with the attenuated AUN consortium resulted in enhanced survival rates.

“The strong anticancer response was attributed to the oncolytic properties of AUN, supported by the activation of immune cells, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages within the tumor microenvironment,” noted Mikako Miyahara, the lead author of the study.

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Pathway to Clinical Trials

With demonstrated safety and efficacy, the JAIST team is optimistic that this novel bacteria-based therapy could enter clinical trials within the next decade. The findings not only represent a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment but also highlight the importance of innovative approaches in addressing the growing challenge of drug-resistant cancers.

“Our findings pave the way for designing effective scaffold materials that can enhance bacterial activity against resistant cancers,” added Miyako.

As the healthcare industry continues to explore cutting-edge solutions to combat cancer, this research from JAIST underscores the potential of integrating microbial therapy into mainstream cancer treatments, providing hope for improved patient outcomes in the near future.

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