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Chen H, Zhu Y, Zhang C, Hu L, Yang K. Engineered bacteria in tumor immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2024; 589:216817. [PMID: 38492769 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
As the limitations of cancer immunotherapy become increasingly apparent, there is considerable anticipation regarding the utilization of biological tools to enhance treatment efficacy, particularly bacteria and their derivatives. Leveraging advances in genetic and synthetic biology technologies, engineered bacteria now play important roles far beyond those of conventional immunoregulatory agents, and they could function as tumor-targeting vehicles and in situ pharmaceutical factories. In recent years, these engineered bacteria play a role in almost every aspect of immunotherapy. It is nothing short of impressive to keep seeing different strain of bacteria modified in diverse ways for unique immunological enhancement. In this review, we have scrutinized the intricate interplay between the immune system and these engineered bacteria. These interactions generate strategies that can directly or indirectly optimize immunotherapy and even modulate the effects of combination therapies. Collectively, these engineered bacteria present a promising novel therapeutic strategy that promises to change the current landscape of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yinrui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Chonghai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Lin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China.
| | - Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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Wang Z, Sun W, Hua R, Wang Y, Li Y, Zhang H. Promising dawn in tumor microenvironment therapy: engineering oral bacteria. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:24. [PMID: 38472176 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00282-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, cancer continues to be a major global health concern. The human mouth appears to be a multiplicity of local environments communicating with other organs and causing diseases via microbes. Nowadays, the role of oral microbes in the development and progression of cancer has received increasing scrutiny. At the same time, bioengineering technology and nanotechnology is growing rapidly, in which the physiological activities of natural bacteria are modified to improve the therapeutic efficiency of cancers. These engineered bacteria were transformed to achieve directed genetic reprogramming, selective functional reorganization and precise control. In contrast to endotoxins produced by typical genetically modified bacteria, oral flora exhibits favorable biosafety characteristics. To outline the current cognitions upon oral microbes, engineered microbes and human cancers, related literatures were searched and reviewed based on the PubMed database. We focused on a number of oral microbes and related mechanisms associated with the tumor microenvironment, which involve in cancer occurrence and development. Whether engineering oral bacteria can be a possible application of cancer therapy is worth consideration. A deeper understanding of the relationship between engineered oral bacteria and cancer therapy may enhance our knowledge of tumor pathogenesis thus providing new insights and strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wansu Sun
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ruixue Hua
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanyin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Hengguo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Wang J, Gao B. Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Implications of Oral Microbiome in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Curr Oncol 2023; 31:168-182. [PMID: 38248096 PMCID: PMC10814288 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms in the oral cavity are abundant in the human body. At present, more than 700 species of oral microorganisms have been identified. Recently, a lot of literature has indicated that the oral microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through various mechanisms. And researchers are now trying to utilize oral microbiota in cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, few articles systematically summarize the effects of oral microbes in the diagnosis, treatment, and disease outcomes of oral cancer. Herein, we made a summary of the microbial changes at cancerous sites and placed more emphasis on the mechanisms by which the oral microbiome promotes cancerization. Moreover, we aimed to find out the clinical value of the oral microbiome in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
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Fooladi S, Rabiee N, Iravani S. Genetically engineered bacteria: a new frontier in targeted drug delivery. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:10072-10087. [PMID: 37873584 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01805a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered bacteria (GEB) have shown significant promise to revolutionize modern medicine. These engineered bacteria with unique properties such as enhanced targeting, versatility, biofilm disruption, reduced drug resistance, self-amplification capabilities, and biodegradability represent a highly promising approach for targeted drug delivery and cancer theranostics. This innovative approach involves modifying bacterial strains to function as drug carriers, capable of delivering therapeutic agents directly to specific cells or tissues. Unlike synthetic drug delivery systems, GEB are inherently biodegradable and can be naturally eliminated from the body, reducing potential long-term side effects or complications associated with residual foreign constituents. However, several pivotal challenges such as safety and controllability need to be addressed. Researchers have explored novel tactics to improve their capabilities and overcome existing challenges, including synthetic biology tools (e.g., clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and bioinformatics-driven design), microbiome engineering, combination therapies, immune system interaction, and biocontainment strategies. Because of the remarkable advantages and tangible progress in this field, GEB may emerge as vital tools in personalized medicine, providing precise and controlled drug delivery for various diseases (especially cancer). In this context, future directions include the integration of nanotechnology with GEB, the focus on microbiota-targeted therapies, the incorporation of programmable behaviors, the enhancement in immunotherapy treatments, and the discovery of non-medical applications. In this way, careful ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks are necessary for developing GEB-based systems for targeted drug delivery. By addressing safety concerns, ensuring informed consent, promoting equitable access, understanding long-term effects, mitigating dual-use risks, and fostering public engagement, these engineered bacteria can be employed as promising delivery vehicles in bio- and nanomedicine. In this review, recent advances related to the application of GEB in targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy are discussed, covering crucial challenging issues and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Fooladi
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Navid Rabiee
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Siavash Iravani
- Independent Researcher, W Nazar ST, Boostan Ave, Isfahan, Iran.
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Zhou M, Tang Y, Xu W, Hao X, Li Y, Huang S, Xiang D, Wu J. Bacteria-based immunotherapy for cancer: a systematic review of preclinical studies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1140463. [PMID: 37600773 PMCID: PMC10436994 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1140463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been emerging as a powerful strategy for cancer management. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that bacteria-based immunotherapy including naive bacteria, bacterial components, and bacterial derivatives, can modulate immune response via various cellular and molecular pathways. The key mechanisms of bacterial antitumor immunity include inducing immune cells to kill tumor cells directly or reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Currently, bacterial antigens synthesized as vaccine candidates by bioengineering technology are novel antitumor immunotherapy. Especially the combination therapy of bacterial vaccine with conventional therapies may further achieve enhanced therapeutic benefits against cancers. However, the clinical translation of bacteria-based immunotherapy is limited for biosafety concerns and non-uniform production standards. In this review, we aim to summarize immunotherapy strategies based on advanced bacterial therapeutics and discuss their potential for cancer management, we will also propose approaches for optimizing bacteria-based immunotherapy for facilitating clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yucheng Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenjie Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinyan Hao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongjiang Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Si Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Daxiong Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junyong Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
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