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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Bioluminescent Bacterial Imaging In Vivo
Published on: November 4, 2012
Tweak to Treat: Reprograming Bacteria for Cancer Treatment
Brendan Fu-Long Sieow1, Kwok Soon Wun2, Wei Peng Yong3
1Synthetic 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.
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.
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