Bacteria Engineered to Eat Tumors From the Inside

"Bacteria spores enter the tumor, finding an environment where there are lots of nutrients and no oxygen, which this organism prefers, and so it starts eating those nutrients and growing in size. So, we are now colonizing that central space, and the bacterium is essentially ridding the body of the tumor."

"Using 'bugs as drugs' offers a promising solution to overcome some of the challenges with traditional cancer therapies. Solid tumors, which account for the majority of adult cancers, can be notoriously treatment-resistant due to their complex microenvironment. But harnessing the unique ability of bacteria provides new therapeutic possibilities."

University of Waterloo researchers have developed a novel cancer treatment using genetically modified Clostridium sporogenes bacteria, which naturally thrive in oxygen-free environments. These bacteria are engineered to colonize solid tumors, which contain dead cells and lack oxygen—ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Once inside tumors, the bacteria consume nutrients and proliferate, effectively destroying the tumor from within. This approach leverages the bacteria's natural preference for anaerobic environments and their ability to trigger immune responses against cancer. The method represents a promising alternative to conventional therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, which often have limited effectiveness and significant toxicity.

Read at Futurism