In a groundbreaking study published in the “Journal of Controlled Release,” a team of researchers has provided a comprehensive review of the potential of bacteria-based drug delivery systems in treating non-oncological diseases (Cao et al., 2024). This emerging field harnesses the unique attributes of bacteria, such as their rapid proliferation, natural colonization capabilities, and the possibility of genetic modification, to administer therapeutics to specific sites within the human body.
Bacteria are omnipresent in the human body, with significant populations on the skin, in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, and the urogenital area, not to mention lesion sites such as wounds or non-malignant tumors. Researchers have viewed these microbes not merely as passive residents but as active vehicles that can be utilized for targeted drug delivery. Through modification, either genetically or on the surface, bacteria are equipped to act as living therapeutic agents capable of reaching physiological positions otherwise challenging to access.
In the study, the researchers systematically summarized the physiological positions where bacteria-based drug delivery could be influential. The applications highlighted span across several body systems, offering new avenues for treating diseases.
While the majority of research in this realm has historically focused on oncology, the review spotlights the successful utilization of bacterial carriers beyond cancer treatment. Researchers Cao, Pang, Pu, and Liu (2024) delve into the use of these living delivery systems for diseases like skin infections and wound healing, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), respiratory diseases, and vaginitis.
For skin applications, specific strains of bacteria are engineered to produce and deliver bioactive molecules directly to the wound or infection site, enhancing healing and combating infection. In IBD, bacteria can be adjusted to settle in the gastrointestinal tract, providing localized anti-inflammatory effects or restoring a healthy microbiota balance. In the respiratory system, bacteria-based therapeutics have been employed to treat infections and chronic diseases such as asthma by delivering drugs to the otherwise inaccessible lung passageways. Similarly, in the treatment of vaginitis, these living delivery systems can outcompete pathogens and restore the vaginal microbiome to its healthy state.
The review highlights not just the successes but also the key advantages of bacteria as drug carriers. These living therapeutics offer unparalleled specificity and can reduce systemic side effects by directly reaching their target. Moreover, they hold the potential for self-propagation, which could reduce dosing frequencies.
However, alongside these promising advancements, the authors outline the challenges that lie ahead before these bacterial systems can achieve widespread clinical adoption. Concerns such as ensuring safety, avoiding unintended immune responses, and establishing controlled and predictable therapeutic outputs are pivotal issues to be resolved.
The work of Cao et al. (2024) serves as a clarion call for further research and collaboration across disciplines. The authors emphasize the need for a diverse approach combining insights from microbiology, drug delivery, and clinical medicine to surmount the existing limitations and bring these innovative therapies to the patients who need them.
Conclusion
The review article by Cao et al. offers valuable insights into the design of next-generation bacteria-based therapeutics. As we stand at the brink of a new era in medicine, it is imperative to continue exploring the potential of these biological systems. For patients suffering from non-oncological diseases, these advancements may herald a novel, more effective, and less invasive form of treatment.
Keywords
1. Bacteria-based drug delivery
2. Non-oncological disease treatment
3. Living therapeutics
4. Controlled drug release
5. Targeted bacteria therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.020
References
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