New Bacterial Therapy Shows Promise in Cancer Treatment

A research team led by Professor Eijiro Miyako at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has developed a groundbreaking bacterial therapy that targets cancer without relying on the immune system.

This innovative approach utilizes a unique microbial partnership known as AUN, composed of two naturally occurring bacteria: Proteus mirabilis and Rhodopseudomonas palustris. Historically, bacterial cancer therapy has roots dating back to 1868 when a German physician reported remission in a cancer patient infected with bacteria.

Despite advances in immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies, these methods often fall short in patients with compromised immune systems due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The AUN therapy directly addresses this limitation by effectively destroying cancer cells in both animal and human models, even in the absence of a strong immune response. AUN achieves its tumor-fighting capabilities through a series of coordinated mechanisms, including the precise targeting of tumor blood vessels and cancer cells, and a structural transformation in Proteus mirabilis triggered by tumor-specific metabolites.

The therapy begins with a bacterial ratio of approximately three percent A-gyo to ninety-seven percent UN-gyo, which shifts to about ninety-nine percent A-gyo as treatment progresses, maximizing its therapeutic effect while minimizing toxicity and side effects.

Notably, the therapy reduces the risk of cytokine release syndrome, a potentially dangerous immune reaction. The collaboration between A-gyo and UN-gyo exemplifies the Japanese concept of AUN, symbolizing balance and harmony, as UN-gyo only becomes beneficial when paired with A-gyo, enhancing the cancer-killing precision while curbing harmful activity.

Professor Miyako indicated plans to launch a startup and hopes to commence clinical trials within six years. This advancement signifies a new chapter in bacteria-based cancer therapy, potentially offering a solution for cancer patients with weakened immune systems where traditional immunotherapies are ineffective.

The findings were published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, highlighting a significant step forward in cancer treatment.