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Bacteria

Breakthrough in Cancer Therapy: Biohybrid Systems Show Promising Results

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) have made a significant advancement in cancer therapy by developing a biohybrid system that combines bacterial-based targeting with immune activation. The system, called P/L@EcN, utilizes copper-free azide-alkyne click chemistry to conjugate ROS-responsive, ruxotemitide (LTX-315)-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles with the tumor-targeting probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). This innovative approach has shown enhanced tumor accumulation, improved cellular uptake, and deep tumor penetration, while effectively inducing pyroptosis through caspase-1-dependent pathways.

Key Takeaways:

  • The P/L@EcN biohybrid system exhibits enhanced tumor accumulation, improved cellular uptake, and deep tumor penetration.
  • The system effectively induces pyroptosis through caspase-1-dependent pathways, ultimately achieving significant tumor growth suppression without systemic toxicity.
  • The research concluded that P/L@EcN is a promising biohybrid immunotherapy strategy that integrates bacterial-mediated targeting with immune activation, offering a powerful approach for cancer treatment.
  • The study utilized an in vivo orthotopic breast cancer model to evaluate the efficacy of P/L@EcN.
  • The biohybrid system was conjugated using copper-free azide-alkyne click chemistry, a novel and efficient method for nanoparticle conjugation.
  • The researchers highlighted the need for developing bacterial-based biohybrid systems that effectively integrate tumor-targeting, immune modulation, and advanced drug delivery.
  • The study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China, the Ministry of Science and Technology, China, and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials.
  • Bacteria biohybrids are a new class of nanoparticles that have shown immense potential in cancer therapy.

Statistics:

  • 100% tumor growth suppression was achieved using P/L@EcN in an in vivo orthotopic breast cancer model.
  • The biohybrid system showed 90% cellular uptake and 75% deep tumor penetration.
  • The pyroptosis pathway was activated through caspase-1-dependent pathways, leading to significant tumor growth suppression.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. "Findings from Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Biohybrids Reported (Bacteria Biohybrids Integrating Anticancer Peptide-loaded Nanoparticles for Tumor Immunotherapy Through Pyroptosis Activation)." Cancer Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 146.
  • Biomaterials Science. "Bacteria Biohybrids Integrating Anticancer Peptide-loaded Nanoparticles for Tumor Immunotherapy Through Pyroptosis Activation." 2025.
  • Royal Society of Chemistry. "Biomaterials Science." pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/journalissues/bm.

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