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Engineered Bacteria Eat Tumors From Within
24 Feb
Summary
- Bacteria engineered to survive in low-oxygen tumor cores.
- Gene controls oxygen tolerance, activated by bacterial population.
- Further testing planned in pre-clinical tumor models.
Scientists have engineered bacteria to attack tumors internally, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. This innovative method targets the oxygen-free environment found within solid cancers.
The research utilizes Clostridium sporogenes, a soil-dwelling bacterium naturally suited for low-oxygen conditions. By genetically modifying these bacteria, scientists aim to enhance their ability to colonize and break down tumor tissue from within.
A critical challenge addressed is the bacteria's limited survival in slightly oxygenated tumor edges. Researchers engineered the bacteria with an oxygen-tolerance gene, but coupled it with a quorum sensing system. This ensures the gene only activates when a sufficient bacterial population is established inside the tumor, preventing uncontrolled growth in oxygen-rich body areas.
Early studies confirmed the bacteria's capacity for oxygen tolerance and demonstrated the precision of the quorum sensing control. The next phase involves combining these advancements for testing in pre-clinical tumor models to evaluate complete tumor breakdown.
