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Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Measuring Growth and Gene Expression Dynamics of Tumor-Targeted S. Typhimurium Bacteria
Published on: July 6, 2013
Synthetic Biology Medicine and Bacteria-Based Cancer Therapeutics
Jaehyung Lee1, Andrew C Keates2, Chiang J Li3
1Skip Ackerman Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Spontaneous tumor regression following bacterial infection has been observed for hundreds of years. These observations along with anecdotal medical findings in 1890s led to the development of Coley's "toxins," consisting of killed Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens bacteria, as the first cancer immunotherapy. The use of this approach, however, was not widely accepted at the time especially after the introduction of radiation therapy as a treatment for cancer in the early 1900s. Over the last 30-40 years there has been renewed interest in the use of bacteria to treat human solid tumors. This is based on the observation that various nonpathogenic anaerobic bacteria can infiltrate and replicate within solid tumors when given intravenously. Bacteria tested as potential anticancer agents include the Gram-positive obligate anaerobes Bifidobacterium and Clostridium, as well as the gram-negative facultative anaerobe Salmonella. Recent advances in synthetic biology and clinical success in cancer immunotherapy provide renewed momentum for developing bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy for cancer treatment and should allow greater potential for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for this devastating disease.
Insights
Bacteria have been used for cancer immunotherapy for centuries, with renewed interest in using nonpathogenic bacteria to treat solid tumors. Advances in synthetic biology and immunotherapy offer new potential for bacteria-based cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Spontaneous tumor regression after bacterial infection noted for centuries.
- Led to development of Coley's toxins (killed bacteria) as early cancer immunotherapy.
- Renewed interest in using bacteria for cancer treatment over the last 30-40 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical and current use of bacteria in cancer immunotherapy.
- To highlight the potential of nonpathogenic bacteria for treating solid tumors.
- To discuss the impact of synthetic biology and recent immunotherapy successes on bacteria-based cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical medical observations and scientific literature.
- Discussion of bacterial species investigated for anticancer properties (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Salmonella).
- Consideration of recent advances in synthetic biology and cancer immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Bacteria can infiltrate and replicate within solid tumors when administered intravenously.
- Various nonpathogenic anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria show potential as anticancer agents.
- Synthetic biology and immunotherapy advancements are driving novel therapeutic approaches.
Conclusions:
- Bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy has a long history and is experiencing a resurgence.
- Nonpathogenic bacteria hold promise for treating human solid tumors.
- Interdisciplinary advances are paving the way for innovative bacteria-based cancer therapies.
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