Genetically Modified Bacteria Technique Validated By Independent Study.(Brief Article)

2001 DEC 26 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has reported that an independent preclinical study at Johns Hopkins University Oncology Center has validated the concept of using bacteria as anticancer agent and tumor-selective drug delivery agents.

The Hopkins study involved the administration of genetically engineered Clostridia bacteria into tumor-bearing mice. The bacteria were found mostly in tumors but not in normal tissues after being injected into the mice. Regardless of the route of administration, by intravenous injection or by direct injection into tumors, the bacteria colonized tumors and destroyed tumor cells.

When administered in combination with chemotherapy, there was greater antitumor activity compared with administration of chemotherapy alone or bacteria alone. Similar observations have been reported by Vion in the last few years using TAPET, a genetically modified Salmonella bacteria.

In preclinical studies, intravenous administration of Vion's TAPET bacteria has been shown to accumulate preferentially in solid tumors and to inhibit tumor growth. The bacteria have been modified genetically to allow safe administration by intravenous and intratumoral injection. When combined with standard chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin and cyclophosphamide, strong anticancer effects that are superior to the anticancer effects of the bacteria or chemotherapy administered alone, have been observed in several mouse tumor models. TAPET is a promising vector for continuous delivery of high concentrations of anticancer agents directly into tumors.

"The publication of the Hopkins study by a highly respected group with many accomplishments in cancer research, provides important validation of the concept of using bacterial vectors for the ...