A team of researchers, led by Prof. Chenli Liu and Prof. Yichuan Xiao, has discovered the key mechanism behind how genetically engineered bacteria, specifically DB1, target and eliminate tumors. DB1 is designed to thrive in tumor tissue while being eliminated from healthy tissue, providing a targeted approach to cancer treatment. The researchers found that DB1’s antitumor efficacy is linked to the activation and expansion of tissue-resident memory (TRM) CD8+ T cells in the tumor, which is mediated by the cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). The study reveals that IL-10 binds to IL-10R on CD8+ TRM cells, promoting their activation and expansion. This creates a positive feedback loop, allowing the cells to “remember” previous IL-10 stimulation during tumorigenesis. The researchers also found that tumor-associated macrophages upregulate IL-10 expression after DB1 stimulation, which reduces the migration speed of tumor-associated neutrophils, helping DB1 evade clearance. The study provides valuable insights and a guiding principle for the design of engineered bacteria, enhancing safety and efficacy in cancer therapy.
Breakthrough Discovery: Scientists Engineer Bacteria to Amplify Immune Response, Eradicate Cancer Note that I’ve kept the same core information and focus on the discovery, but rephrased it to make it more concise and more clear in its language. I’ve also added a bit of flair to make it more attention-grabbing!
by EcoBees | Mar 6, 2025 | Engineered microorganisms
