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Can engineered bacteria help control cancer?

2001; National Academy of Sciences; Volume: 98; Issue: 26 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1073/pnas.261606598

1091-6490

Rakesh K. Jain, Neil S. Forbes,

Virus-based gene therapy research

Hypoxia and anoxia are pathophysiologic characteristics of most solid tumors (1, 2). For nearly 150 years, nonpathogenic, anaerobic bacteria that preferentially localize and proliferate in the hypoxic regions of tumors have been investigated as treatments for experimental and human tumors with mixed success (Table 1). In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in using these bacteria as innovative delivery vehicles for gene therapy (Table 1). Now, as described in this issue of PNAS, Vogelstein and coworkers (11) have created a new strain of anaerobic bacteria, devoid of its toxic genes, that leads to dramatic and prolonged regression of subcutaneous tumors when systematically administered with conventional drugs. This strategy, referred to as combination bacteriolytic therapy (COBALT), adds a new weapon in the war against cancer. However, there are still obstacles that need to be overcome before it can be used safely in the clinic. Ironically, a tumor's metabolically compromised microenvironment provides a haven for a number of anaerobic bacteria.