Modified Bacteria and their Uses thereof for the Treatment of Cancer or Tumor

Abstract

Described herein is a method of treatment of cancer or tumor using a modified bacteria or composition comprising the modified bacteria. In certain embodiments, the method is in combination with other treatment. In certain embodiments, the treatment is chemotherapy, radiation therapy, gene therapy, surgery or a combination thereof. The method makes modified facultative anaerobic bacteria into a conditional obligate anaerobe. The modified bacteria are strictly hypoxia regulated and comprise an essential gene expressing cassette. The vectors of this method comprise the essential gene expressing cassette. Also described herein are therapeutic and prophylactic compositions comprising the modified bacteria. The therapeutic and prophylactic compositions contain a purified form of the modified bacteria, while in certain embodiments, they do not contain other strain of microorganisms. The modified bacteria grow within the solid tumor/cancer, retarding its growth and are rapidly eliminated from normal tissues. The solid tumor/cancer includes breast cancer, liver cancer or neuroblastoma.