Using microbes to fight diseases like cancer may seem counterintuitive at first. Yet, this approach is at the heart of work by Chinese researchers, who have successfully turned probiotic bacteria into smart vehicles. These are capable of producing and delivering a drug directly into tumors, offering a potentially more precise and effective therapeutic approach.
Their work, published in
PLOS Biology, exploits the probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. The team genetically modified it to produce Romidepsin, an anticancer agent already approved for clinical use. This strategy takes advantage of the natural ability of these bacteria to colonize specific regions of the body, particularly tumor tissues.
To test this approach, experiments were conducted on mice with mammary tumors. The modified bacteria accumulated well within the tumor masses, where they released Romidepsin in a controlled manner. This local administration of the treatment could thus limit its impact on surrounding healthy cells.
The observations show a decrease in tumor growth in the animals that received this treatment. According to the authors, the colonization of tumors by the bacteria enhances the activity of Romidepsin, creating a dual-effect therapy. It is important to note that this system has so far only been evaluated in mice.
Before considering a human application, several points remain to be clarified. Long-term safety, the possibility of eliminating the bacteria after treatment, and their behavior in a human organism require further investigation. These subsequent studies will be crucial to assess the real potential of this method.