Tweak to Treat: Reprograming Bacteria for Cancer Treatment

Brendan Fu-Long Sieow; Kwok Soon Wun; Wei Peng Yong; In Young Hwang; Matthew Wook Chang

doi:10.1016/j.trecan.2020.11.004

Tweak to Treat: Reprograming Bacteria for Cancer Treatment

Trends Cancer. 2021 May;7(5):447-464. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.11.004. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Authors

Brendan Fu-Long Sieow¹, Kwok Soon Wun², Wei Peng Yong³, In Young Hwang⁴, Matthew Wook Chang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore.
² Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
³ Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore; Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
⁴ Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 33303401
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.11.004

Abstract

Recent advancements in cancer biology, microbiology, and bioengineering have spurred the development of engineered live biotherapeutics for targeted cancer therapy. In particular, natural tumor-targeting and probiotic bacteria have been engineered for controlled and sustained delivery of anticancer agents into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we review the latest advancements in the development of engineered bacteria for cancer therapy and additional engineering strategies to potentiate the delivery of therapeutic payloads. We also explore the use of combination therapies comprising both engineered bacteria and conventional anticancer therapies for addressing intratumor heterogeneity. Finally, we discuss prospects for the development and clinical translation of engineered bacteria for cancer prevention and treatment.

Keywords: cancer; engineered bacteria; live biotherapeutics; synthetic biology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
Bacteria / immunology*
Cancer Vaccines / immunology
Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
Combined Modality Therapy / methods
Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
Humans
Neoplasms / immunology
Neoplasms / therapy*
Probiotics / therapeutic use*
Synthetic Biology / methods*
Translational Research, Biomedical
Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Cancer Vaccines