New Patent Reveals Potential Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment with Bacteria and Prebiotics

Strategic Insights -

Cancer treatment has just taken a significant turn with the recent patent approval of a novel method that combines bacteria and prebiotics to treat colon cancer and melanoma. The invention, patented by researchers Ashkenazi, Shiri, Bradley, Linda, Li, Yan, Peterson, Scott, Ronai, Ze'ev, and Tinoco, Roberto, from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach cancer treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent outlines a method of treating colon cancer and melanoma by administering a composition of therapeutically effective amounts of specific bacteria, such as Oscillibacter valericigenes, Acetatifactor muris, and Bacteroides massiliensis, in combination with prebiotics like mucin or inulin.
  • The bacteria are selected for their ability to modulate the gut microbiota and stimulate an immune response against cancer cells, while the prebiotics help to restore the balance of the gut microbiome.
  • The combination of bacteria and prebiotics has shown promising results in preclinical studies, including significant inhibition of tumor development and altered gut microbiota composition in animal models.
  • The patent also claims the use of specific immune checkpoint regulators, such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 inhibitors, in combination with the bacteria and prebiotics to enhance the anti-tumor response.
  • The inventors have identified specific mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes as predictors of treatment response, allowing for personalized treatment approaches.
  • The patent highlights the need for further research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel approach in human clinical trials.

Statistics:

  • 123,297,84 is the patent number assigned to this invention.
  • 14 specific bacteria are listed in the claim, including Oscillibacter valericigenes, Acetatifactor muris, and Bacteroides massiliensis.
  • 6 prebiotics are mentioned, including mucin and inulin.
  • 15 specific immune checkpoint regulators are listed, including PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 inhibitors.
  • 14 specific mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes are identified as predictors of treatment response.

Sources:

  • Ashkenazi, Shiri. "Gut microbiota and treatment of cancer". U.S. Patent Number 12329784, filed January 30, 2023, and published online on June 17, 2025.
  • https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12329784)&db=USPAT&type=ids