Scientists at Columbia University have created genetically modified bacteria that seek out cancerous tumors in the animal’s body and recruit the host’s immune cells to destroy the cancer. Research published in the journal Science Advances.
Scientists have created a strain of E. coli coli. When bacteria accumulate in the tumor, they begin to break down, releasing their contents into the tumor. Ingredients include chemokines. These proteins act as a signal for attack and destruction by immune dendritic and T cells. Additionally, the researchers inserted genes into the microbial genome that encode proteins that inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
The bacteria has already been tested on mice. They strengthened the animal’s immune response to tumors. Moreover, the treatment was more effective when the bacteria were injected directly into the tumor. But the effect was also observed in intravenous administration. The bacterium only colonized the tumor and was not found in healthy tissues.
Scientists continue to optimize the system and prepare for future clinical trials.