Engineered bacterial platform for localized cancer therapy
This technology is a microbial-based therapeutic platform that uses engineered bacteria to deliver localized chemotherapy and immunotherapy directly to tumors for improved cancer treatment.
Unmet Need: Targeted delivery of combined cancer therapies
Current cancer treatments often rely on systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which can lead to significant toxicity and limited efficacy due to poor tumor specificity. While enzyme/prodrug therapy and immunotherapy have shown promise, their success depends on efficient and localized delivery within the tumor microenvironment. Existing approaches struggle to simultaneously deliver cytotoxic and immune-modulating agents in a controlled and tumor-specific manner. Addressing this limitation is critical to improving treatment outcomes while minimizing patient side effects.
The Technology: Engineered bacteria for targeted chemoimmunotherapy delivery
This technology uses engineered bacteria (E. coli Nissle 1917) as a tumor-targeting microbial platform to deliver both chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents directly within tumors. The system combines enzyme and prodrug therapy with immune activation by enabling bacteria to convert an administered prodrug into an active chemotherapy agent at the tumor site. In addition, the engineered bacteria express multiple therapeutic payloads, including a cytosine deaminase enzyme, an interleukin-15 superagonist to stimulate immune cell activity, and a PD-L1 blocking nanobody to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression. A genetic modification prevents detoxification of the active drug, enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
This platform has demonstrated potent antitumor effects in vivo without systemic toxicity, supporting its potential as a safe and scalable strategy for precision cancer therapy.
Applications:
- Targeted chemotherapy for solid tumors
- Platform for combination cancer therapies
- Delivery system for immunomodulatory biologics
- Research tool for studying tumor-microbiome interactions
- Preclinical model to evaluate payload therapeutic strategies
- Metastatic tumor treatment
Advantages:
- Tumor-specific localization reduces systemic toxicity
- Enables simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic agents
- Combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy in a single platform
- Scalable and modular microbial engineering approach
- Demonstrated efficacy without off-target side effects
- Compatible with emerging precision medicine strategies
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
[Patent Pending(WO/2024/16073)
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU26042
Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang