Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 21, 2025
Columbia Scientists Use Bacteria as Trojan Horses to Deliver Cancer-Killing Viruses
TLDR
- Columbia University's bacteria-based delivery system offers a strategic advantage by bypassing immune defenses to target tumors more effectively than conventional treatments.
- Engineered bacteria are attracted to cancer cells and release oncolytic viruses that destroy tumors while evading the immune system's detection mechanisms.
- This innovative treatment approach could significantly improve cancer survival rates and reduce treatment side effects for patients worldwide.
- Scientists have created bacterial Trojan horses that smuggle cancer-killing viruses directly into tumors using nature's own targeting systems.
Impact - Why it Matters
This breakthrough represents a potential paradigm shift in cancer treatment by overcoming one of the major limitations of current therapies - the immune system's tendency to attack therapeutic viruses before they reach tumors. For cancer patients, this could mean more effective treatments with fewer side effects, as the bacteria-mediated delivery system specifically targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The technology could lead to new treatment options for cancers that are currently difficult to treat, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for millions affected by cancer worldwide.
Summary
Scientists at Columbia University have engineered a groundbreaking cancer treatment that uses bacteria as Trojan horses to deliver cancer-killing viruses directly into tumors while evading the immune system's defenses. This innovative approach leverages bacteria's natural attraction to cancer cells, allowing them to smuggle oncolytic viruses that deliver the lethal blow to tumor cells once inside. The method represents a significant advancement in the field of oncolytic virus research, which is gaining increasing attention for its potential to revolutionize cancer therapy.
This development comes as other entities like Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. are also making progress in similar research areas, highlighting the growing momentum in this promising field. The news was reported by BioMedWire, a specialized communications platform focused on biotechnology and life sciences developments that provides comprehensive corporate communications solutions through its Dynamic Brand Portfolio. The platform offers enhanced press release distribution, social media outreach, and access to a vast network of syndication partners to ensure maximum impact and reach for breaking news in the biomedical sector.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN). Read the original source here, Columbia Scientists Use Bacteria as Trojan Horses to Deliver Cancer-Killing Viruses
