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Related Concept Videos

Prodrugs01:30

Prodrugs

Prodrugs are a class of pharmaceutical compounds that undergo a biotransformation process within the body to be converted into a pharmacologically active drug. Prodrugs are designed to improve the therapeutic properties of the parent drug, such as enhancing bioavailability, increasing stability, or reducing toxicity. The concept of prodrugs revolves around modifying the chemical structure of the original drug to make it more effective or convenient for administration.
Prodrugs help overcome...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted01:24

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Facile Preparation and Photoactivation of Prodrug-Dye Nanoassemblies
08:54

Facile Preparation and Photoactivation of Prodrug-Dye Nanoassemblies

Published on: February 17, 2023

Bacterial-directed enzyme prodrug therapy.

Panos Lehouritis1, Caroline Springer, Mark Tangney

  • 1Cork Cancer Research Centre, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Journal of Controlled Release : Official Journal of the Controlled Release Society
|May 22, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (BDEPT) offers a promising, selective cancer treatment by using bacteria to activate drugs directly at the tumor site, minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Conventional cancer treatments often lack tumor selectivity, causing damage to healthy tissues and limiting therapeutic efficacy.
  • There is a critical need for alternative cancer therapies that can target tumors specifically and spare normal tissues.
  • The use of bacteria as anti-cancer agents has a long history and is experiencing a resurgence with advanced genetic engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the developments in Bacterial Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (BDEPT) since its inception.
  • To provide insights into optimization strategies for BDEPT, including vector and enzyme combinations.
  • To outline the current research landscape and suggest future directions for BDEPT.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on Bacterial Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (BDEPT).
  • Analysis of bacterial vector and enzyme combination strategies.
  • Discussion of optimization techniques and research trends in BDEPT.

Main Results:

  • BDEPT harnesses the tumor-homing ability of bacteria to achieve localized prodrug activation.
  • This approach enables selective tumor destruction with potentially reduced systemic toxicity.
  • Significant advancements have been made in recent years, with a surge in research activity.

Conclusions:

  • BDEPT represents a highly promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy.
  • Further research into vector-enzyme combinations and optimization is crucial for clinical translation.
  • BDEPT holds potential to overcome limitations of conventional cancer treatments.