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Construction of Bacteria-Based Cargo Carriers for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Mahama A Traore1,2, Ali Sahari2, Bahareh Behkam3,4,5

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 28, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed Nanoscale Bacteria-Enabled Autonomous Drug Delivery Systems (NanoBEADS) to improve cancer treatment. This innovative approach combines tumor-targeting bacteria with nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery and efficacy in solid tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Solid tumor drug delivery faces challenges with low efficiency and poor penetration in poorly vascularized areas.
  • Attenuated anaerobic bacteria show high tumor selectivity, safety, and penetration but limited efficacy alone.
  • Integrating bacteria with nanoparticles can enhance therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel Nanoscale Bacteria-Enabled Autonomous Drug Delivery System (NanoBEADS).
  • To interface tumor-targeting bacteria with chemotherapeutic-loaded nanoparticles.
  • To improve cancer theranostics through enhanced targeting and intratumoral transport.

Main Methods:

  • Developed two biomanufacturing techniques to construct NanoBEADS.
  • Linked different bacterial species with polymeric theranostic vehicles.
  • Utilized attenuated strains of facultative anaerobes for tumor targeting.

Main Results:

  • Successfully constructed NanoBEADS by interfacing bacteria with nanoparticles.
  • Demonstrated potential for improved targeting and intratumoral transport properties.
  • Established a novel platform for cancer theranostics.

Conclusions:

  • NanoBEADS represent a significant advancement in cancer theranostics.
  • The system enhances drug delivery efficiency and penetration in solid tumors.
  • This approach amplifies the therapeutic potential of both bacteria and nanoparticles.
Keywords:
BacteriaBacteria-based therapyBiomanufacturingCancerIntratumoral transportNanoparticleSelf-assemblySurface functionalization

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