Real-time imaging of tumors using replication-competent light-emitting microorganisms

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Early cancer and metastasis detection is crucial for effective treatment.
• Live microorganisms (viruses, bacteria) are increasingly explored for cancer detection and therapy.
• Many microorganisms exhibit tumor-specific replication after systemic delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of engineered live microorganisms for real-time cancer detection.
• To demonstrate the visualization of tumor entry and amplification of modified viruses and bacteria.
• To explore the potential of these microorganisms as vehicles for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Engineering vaccinia virus and bacteria with light-emitting protein genes (luciferase, green fluorescent protein).
• Systemic delivery of modified microorganisms into rodent models (immunocompetent and immunocompromised).
• Real-time imaging using low-light imagers and fluorescence microscopy to visualize microorganism localization and amplification in tumors.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated real-time visualization of systemically delivered, engineered viruses and bacteria within tumors.
• Confirmed tumor-specific replication and colonization capabilities in various rodent tumor models.
• Showcased the potential of light-emitting microorganisms for optical imaging of tumors and metastases.

Conclusions:

• Engineered live microorganisms can serve as effective tools for real-time optical imaging of cancer and metastases.
• The tumor-homing properties of bacteria and viruses can be leveraged for developing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic vehicles.
• This approach holds promise for improving early cancer detection and guiding treatment interventions.