Madison Reporter

Pancreatic cancer remains a challenging disease to treat, but a recent study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison suggests a promising new approach. The study, led by Quanyin Hu, an assistant professor in the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy, explores the potential of using bacteria to deliver nano-drugs to combat the tough barriers presented by pancreatic tumors.

Hu's team discovered that the dense matrix surrounding pancreatic tumors, including a specific type of collagen known as oncogenic collagen, poses a significant challenge to traditional immunotherapy-based treatments. This revelation prompted the researchers to investigate a novel strategy involving the use of bacteria as drug delivery vehicles.

In their study, published in the journal Med, the team engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to penetrate the collagen barrier and deliver immunotherapeutic nano-drugs. Hu explains, "E. coli has great motility, meaning it can move by itself, and it actively targets hypoxic environments like tumors." The engineered bacteria successfully infiltrated tumor sites and delivered a combination of drugs designed to break down collagen and enhance the immune response against cancer cells.

Initial animal trials of this innovative approach yielded promising results. Mice with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common and lethal form of pancreatic cancer, showed delayed tumor growth and improved survival rates when treated with the bacteria-loaded nano-drugs. Postmortem analysis revealed a significant increase in the infiltration of cancer-fighting immune cells in tumors treated with this method.

While acknowledging the potential of this bacterial delivery system, Hu emphasizes the need for further refinement and testing before clinical trials can be considered. He notes, "I hope this treatment approach can eventually lead to improvements in terms of survival and prognosis."

The research, supported by various grants and initiatives, underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance treatment options for pancreatic cancer and other malignancies with challenging barriers. Hu's team continues to work on optimizing and streamlining the approach in animal models, with the ultimate goal of translating these findings into clinical benefits.

As the field of oncology explores innovative strategies to combat complex cancers, the use of bacteria as carriers for nano-drugs represents a promising avenue for enhancing treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.