Scientists Discover New Cancer Therapy Using Bacteria That Live Inside Tumors
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed an experimental cancer treatment based on a bacterial protein that disrupts the energy production of cancer cells. In preclinical studies, the therapy combined with radiation significantly reduced tumor growth in prostate cancer models without major toxicity.
A Novel Approach to Cancer Treatment
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have created an experimental cancer treatment using bacteria that naturally inhabit tumors. In studies involving prostate cancer, the approach yielded striking results when combined with radiation therapy. The treatment halted tumor growth by targeting the cancer cells' energy supply.
How the aurB Peptide Works
The treatment is built from a small fragment of a bacterial protein called aurB, derived from the protein auracyanin. According to findings published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, aurB enters tumor cell mitochondria and binds to ATP synthase, a protein crucial for generating ATP, the main energy source for cells. By disrupting energy production, it deprives tumors of the fuel needed for growth.
An Alternative to p53-Dependent Therapies
Earlier work by the same laboratory had identified a different bacterial protein that suppressed tumor growth but relied on the p53 gene. Since p53 is frequently mutated in cancer patients, that treatment was not universally effective. The new aurB peptide acts independently of p53, potentially making it suitable for a broader range of patients.
Results in Prostate Cancer Models
The team evaluated aurB in cancer cell lines lacking active p53 and in mouse models of hormone therapy-resistant prostate cancer. When combined with radiation therapy, the peptide produced a substantial reduction in tumor growth without signs of significant toxicity. "The combination significantly enhanced the activity of the peptide and the tumor became much smaller," said senior author Tohru Yamada.
Path to Clinical Trials
UIC has patented aurB, and the researchers are now exploring opportunities to advance the therapy into human clinical trials. Yamada believes auracyanin may represent just the beginning, noting that countless bacterial proteins remain unexplored and could serve as foundations for future cancer drugs.
