Bacteria-Delivered Viruses Enhance Cancer Treatment
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a novel cancer treatment platform called CAPPSID that uses tumor-seeking bacteria to deliver and activate cancer-killing viruses directly inside tumors, effectively bypassing the immune system and enhancing targeted therapy. The system employs Salmonella bacteria to carry the virus into tumors, where it is released to infect cancer cells, with safeguards to prevent spread outside the tumor. Validated in mice, this innovative approach aims to improve the safety and efficacy of bacterial and viral cancer therapies, with efforts underway to translate it into clinical applications.