Promising dawn in tumor microenvironment therapy: engineering oral bacteria

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oncology
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
• The oral cavity harbors microbes that can influence systemic diseases, including cancer.
• Emerging bioengineering and nanotechnology enable modification of bacterial functions for therapeutic purposes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on oral microbes, engineered microbes, and their relationship with human cancers.
• To explore the potential of engineered oral bacteria as a novel cancer therapy.
• To understand the mechanisms linking oral bacteria to the tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• Literature search and review of related studies in the PubMed database.
• Focus on oral microbes, their mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment, and cancer development.
• Analysis of bioengineering approaches for modifying bacterial physiology.

Main Results:

• Oral microbes are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer initiation and progression.
• Engineered oral bacteria demonstrate favorable biosafety profiles compared to other modified bacteria.
• Specific oral bacteria and their mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment are associated with cancer.

Conclusions:

• Engineering oral bacteria presents a promising avenue for cancer therapy development.
• Further research into engineered oral bacteria and cancer interactions can enhance understanding of tumor pathogenesis.
• This approach may offer new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.