Microbial medicines: Unlocking the therapeutic potential of the microbiome in cancer treatment

Microorganisms have had an established relationship with the maintenance of human health, and recent advancements in genetic engineering and synthetic biology have allowed the development of engineered microbes as targeted disease treatment. This review evaluates the rising use of microorganisms as therapeutic agents, particularly in the treatment of cancer. These engineered microbes are able to detect disease markers and precisely deliver therapeutic payloads to affected sites. These bacterial-based therapeutics show remarkable promise against cancers like pancreatic, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers by targeting tumor microenvironments and enhancing antitumor immunity. While obstacles still remain, such as interindividual variability, safety concerns, and regulatory barriers, the medicinal potential of microbial therapeutics is promising. Future research should focus on furthering the understanding of microbe-host interaction mechanisms and refining bacterial engineering techniques to continue to develop more precise and effective therapies. Ultimately, harnessing the power of microorganisms has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of complex diseases, such as cancer.